Tool-oriented machining

Application

Tool-oriented machining allows you to machine several workpieces together even on a machine without pallet changer, which reduces tool-change times. You can thus use the pallet management feature even on machines without a pallet changer.

Requirements

Description of function

  • The following columns of the pallet table apply to tool-oriented machining:
  • W-STATUS
  • METHOD
  • CTID
  • SP-X to SP-W
  • You can enter safety positions for the axes. The control only approaches these positions if the machine manufacturer processes them in the NC macros.

Pallet table

In the Job list workspace, you can activate or deactivate tool-oriented machining for each NC program via the context menu. This will also cause the control to update the METHOD column.

Context menu

Sequence of tool-oriented machining

  1. The entries TO and CTO tell the control that tool-oriented machining is effective for these rows of the pallet table
  2. The control executes the NC program with the entry TO up to the TOOL CALL
  3. The W-STATUS changes from BLANK to INCOMPLETE and the control enters a value into the CTID field
  4. The control executes all other NC programs with the entry CTO up to the TOOL CALL
  5. The control uses the next tool for the following machining steps if one of the following situations applies:
    • The next table row contains the entry PAL
    • The next table rowcontains the entry TO or WPO
    • There are rows in the table that do not yet contain the entry ENDED or EMPTY
  6. The control updates the entry in the CTID field with each machining operation
  7. If all table rows of the group contain the entry ENDED, the control processes the next rows of the pallet table

Block scan for mid-program startup

You can also return to a pallet table after an interruption. The control can show the rows and the NC block at which the interruption occurred.

The control saves the mid-program startup information in the CTID column of the pallet table.

The block scan in the pallet table is workpiece-oriented.

After a block scan, the control can resume tool-oriented machining if the tool-oriented machining method TO and CTO is defined in the subsequent rows.

Pallet table

  • The following functions require special attention, particularly for mid-program startup:
  • Changing the machine statuses with a miscellaneous function (e.g. M13)
  • Writing to the configuration (e.g. WRITE KINEMATICS)
  • Traverse range switchover
  • Cycle 32
  • Cycle 800
  • Tilting the working plane

Notes

 
Notice
Danger of collision!
Not all pallet tables and NC programs are suitable for tool-oriented machining. With tool-oriented machining, the control no longer executes the NC programs continuously, but divides them at the tool calls. The division of the NC programs allows functions that were not reset to be effective across programs (machine states). This leads to a danger of collision during machining!
  1. Consider the stated limitations
  2. Adapt pallet tables and NC programs to the tool-oriented machining
    • Reprogram the program information after each tool in every NC program (e.g. M3 or M4).
    • Reset special functions and miscellaneous functions before each tool in every NC program (e.g., Tilt the working plane or M138)
  3. Carefully test the pallet table and associated NC programs in the Program run, single block operating mode
  • If you want to start machining again, change the W-STATUS to BLANK or remove the previous input.

Notes on mid-program startup

  • The entry in the CTID field remains there for two weeks. After this time, mid-program startup is no longer possible.
  • Do not change or delete the entry in the CTID field.
  • The data from the CTID field become invalid after a software update.
  • The control saves the preset numbers for mid-program startup. If you change this preset, machining is shifted, too.
  • Mid-program startup is no longer possible after editing an NC program within tool-oriented machining.