Tool usage test

Application

The tool usage test allows checking the tools used in the NC program before starting the program. The control checks if the tools used are available in the machine magazine and have sufficient remaining tool life. Any missing tools can be stored in the machine or tools can be exchanged due to insufficient remaining tool life before starting the program. This avoids interruptions while the program is running.

Requirement

  • A tool usage file is needed for performing a tool usage test
  • The machine manufacturer uses the machine parameter createUsageFile (no. 118701) to define whether the Generate tool-usage file function is enabled.

    Tool usage file

  • The Generate tool-usage file function setting is set to either once or always
  • Channel settings

  • Use the same tool table for the simulation as for the program run
  • Simulation Workspace

Description of function

Creating the tool usage file

A tool usage file must be generated for performing the tool usage test.

  • When setting the Generate tool-usage file setting to once or always, the control will generate a tool usage file in the following cases:
  • Simulating the NC program completely
  • Executing the NC program completely
  • Select Generate tool usage file in the Tool check column of the Program workspace

The control saves the tool usage file with the *.t.dep extension in the same folder where the NC program is stored.

Tool usage file

Tool check column in the Program workspace

Tool usage area

The Tool usage area is empty before generating a tool usage file.

Creating the tool usage file

Tool usage file

  • The control displays the chronological order of all tool calls in the Tool usage area, along with the following information:
  • Path of NC program in which the tool is called
  • Tool number and possibly tool name
  • Row number of tool call in NC program
  • Tool usage time between the tool changes

Tool check area

Before performing a tool usage test with the Tool check button, the Tool check area has no content.

Performing the tool usage test

  • When performing the tool usage test, the control checks the following:
  • The tool is defined in the tool management
  • Tool management

  • The tool is defined in the pocket table
  • Pocket table tool_p.tch

  • The tool has sufficient remaining tool life
  • The control checks if the remaining tool life TIME1 minus CUR_TIME is sufficient for the machining process. To meet this requirement, the remaining tool life must be longer than the tool usage time WTIME from the tool usage file.

    Tool table tool.t

    Tool usage file

  • The control displays the following information in the Tool check area:
  • OK: All tools are available and have sufficient remaining tool life
  • No suitable tool: The tool is not defined in the tool management
  • In this case, check if the correct tool is selected in the tool call. Otherwise, create the tool in the tool management.

  • External tool: The tool is defined in the tool management, but not in the pocket table
  • If your machine is equipped with a magazine, position the missing tool in the magazine.

  • Insufficient remaining tool life: The tool is blocked or does not have sufficient remaining tool life
  • Change the tool or use a replacement tool.

    Tool call by TOOL CALL

    Automatically inserting a replacement tool with M101

 
Tip

If you double-tap or click a tool entry in the Tool usage or Tool check areas, the control switches to the tool selected in tool management. You can make modifications as needed.

Performing the tool usage test

  1. Use the tool usage test as follows:
HomeMainIcon

  1. Select the Home operating mode
Config

  1. Select the Settings application
MaschinenEinstellungen

  1. Select the Machine settings group
MaschinenEinstellungen

  1. Select the Machine settings menu item

  1. In the Channel settings area, select Generate tool usage file Once for the simulation.
  2. Channel settings

SF_6_GPS_Uebernehmen

  1. Press Apply
ProgrammingMainIcon

  1. Select the Editor operating mode
NewTabIcon-active

  1. Select Add
  2. Select the desired NC program
SF_4_Datei_Oeffnen_Oeffnen

  1. Select Open
  2. The control opens the NC program in a new tab.
searchResultIcon

  1. Select the Tool check column
  2. The control opens the Tool check column.

  1. Select Generate tool usage file
  2. The control generates a tool usage file and displays the tools used in the Tool usage area.
  3. Tool usage file

  1. Select Perform tool check
  2. The control performs the tool usage test.
  3. The Tool check area of the control shows whether all tools are available and have sufficient remaining tool life.

Notes

  • If you selected never in the Generate tool-usage file function, the Generate tool usage file button in the Tool check column is grayed out.
  • Channel settings

  • The Simulation settings window allows selecting when the control generates a tool usage file for the simulation.
  • Simulation Workspace

  • The control creates dependency files (*.dep); for example, the tool-usage file in order to perform a tool usage test.
  • Tool usage file

  • The control displays the order of tool calls of the NC program that is active in the program run in the T usage order table (option 93).
  • T usage order (option 93)

  • The control shows an overview of all tool calls of the NC program that are active in the program run in the Tooling list table (option 93).
  • Tooling list (option 93)

  • Function FN 18: SYSREAD ID975 NR1 allows querying the tool usage test for an NC program.
  • Function FN 18: SYSREAD ID975 NR2 IDX allows querying the tool usage test for a pallet table. The pallet table row is defined by IDX.
  • The machine manufacturer uses the machine parameter autoCheckPrg (no. 129801) to define whether the control automatically generates a tool usage file upon selecting an NC program.
  • The machine manufacturer uses the machine parameter autoCheckPal (no. 129802) to define whether the control automatically generates a tool usage file upon selecting a pallet table.
  • In the machine parameter dependentFiles (no. 122101), the machine manufacturer defines whether the control displays dependency files with the *.dep extension in the file manager. Even if the control displays no dependency files, it still generates a tool usage file.