Presets on the tool

The control distinguishes the following presets on the tool for different calculations or applications.

Tool carrier reference point

The tool carrier reference point is a fixed point defined by the machine manufacturer. The tool carrier reference point is usually located on the spindle nose.

Starting from the tool carrier reference point, define the tool dimensions in the tool management (e.g., length L and radius R).

Tool management

Measuring the tool by scratching

Tool tip TIP 

The tool tip has the greatest distance from the tool carrier reference point. The tool tip is the origin of the tool coordinate system T-CS.

Tool coordinate system T-CS

In case of milling cutters, the tool tip is at the center of the tool radius R and at the longest point of the tool on the tool axis.

You define the tool tip with the following columns of the tool management relative to the tool carrier reference point:

  • L
  • DL

Tool data for the tool types

The tool tip is an auxiliary point for illustration purposes. The coordinates in the NC program reference the tool location point.

Tool location point (TLP, tool location point)

Tool center point (TCP, tool center point)

The tool center point is the center of the tool radius R. If a second tool radius (R2) is defined, the tool center point is offset from the tool tip by this value.

Making entries in the tool management relative to the tool carrier reference point defines the tool center point.

Tool data for the tool types

The tool center point is an auxiliary point for illustration purposes. The coordinates in the NC program reference the tool location point.

Tool location point (TLP, tool location point)

Tool location point (TLP, tool location point)

Tool rotation point (TRP, tool rotation point)

When applying the tilting function with MOVE (#8 / #1-01-1), the control tilts the tool about the tool center of rotation. By default, the tool center of rotation is at the tool tip.

When selecting MOVE in PLANE functions, the syntax element DIST is used to define the relative position between the workpiece and the tool. The control shifts the tool rotation point from the tool tip by this value. When DIST is not defined, the control keeps the tool tip constant.

Rotary axis positioning

In the function FUNCTION TCPM (#9 / #4-01-1), you can also choose the tool center of rotation to be at the tool center point.

Tool radius 2 center (CR2, center R2)

The control uses the tool radius 2 center in conjunction with 3D tool compensation (#9 / #4-01-1). In the case of straight lines LN, the surface-normal vector points to that point and defines the direction of the 3D tool compensation.

3D tool compensation (#9 / #4-01-1)

The tool radius 2 center is offset from the tool tip and the cutting edge by the R2 value.

The tool radius 2 center is an auxiliary point for illustration purposes. The coordinates in the NC program reference the tool location point.

Tool location point (TLP, tool location point)