Tool management

Application

The control displays the tool definitions of all technologies as well as the tools currently present in the tool magazine in the Tool management application of Tables operating mode.

The tool management allows you to add or delete tools, or to edit parameters.

Description of function

You can define up to 32,767 tools in the tool management; this is the maximum number of available table rows.

The control displays all parameters of the tool tables below in the tool management:

The control additionally displays the pockets occupied in the magazine from pocket table tool_p.tch in the tool management.

Pocket table tool_p.tch

You can edit the parameters in the Table or Form workspaces. In the Form workspace the control shows the correct parameters for each tool type.

Tool parameters

Notes

  • When creating a new tool, the length L and radius R parameters are empty at first. The control will not insert a tool whose length and radius are missing and will display an error message.
  • Tools still stored in the pocket table cannot be deleted. The tools must be removed from the magazine first.
  • When editing parameters, bear in mind that the current tool may have been entered in the RT column as a replacement tool of another tool!
  • Make sure to keep the tool table as short and clear as possible so that it does not impair the computing speed of your control. Use a maximum of 10,000 tool entries in tool management. For example, you can delete all unused tool numbers; tool numbers need not be sequential.
  • If the cursor is within the Table workspace and the Edit toggle switch is deactivated, a search using the keyboard can be started. The control opens a separate window with an input field and automatically searches for the entered string. If the controls finds a tool with the entered characters, it selects this tool. If it finds several tools with this string of characters, you can scroll up and down in the window.
  • In the Simulation workspace you can check for collisions between the tool (including its holder) and the workpiece or fixtures.
  • Advanced checks in the simulation

Importing and exporting tool data

Application

The control can import and export tool data. This avoids manual editing efforts and possible typing errors. Importing tool data is particularly useful in connection with a tool presetter. Exported tool data can be used for the tool database of your CAM system, for example.

Description of function

The control transmits tool data as a CSV file.

File types

The tool data transfer file is structured as follows:

  • The first row contains the tool table column names that are transferred.
  • The other rows contain the parameters to be transferred. The order of the parameter values must match the order of the column names in the first row. Decimal numbers are separated by a point.

The column names and the tool parameter values are placed in double quotation marks and are separated by semicolons.

Please note the following regarding the transfer file:

  • The tool number must be present.
  • Any tool data can be imported. The data record does not need to contain all tool table column names or all parameter values.
  • Missing parameter values contain no value between the quotation marks.
  • The column names can be arranged in any order. The sequence of parameter values must match the order of column names.

Importing tool data

To import tool data:

    1. Select the Tables operating mode

    1. Select Tool management

    1. Enable Edit
    2. The control enables tool management for editing.

    1. Select Import
    2. The control opens a selection window.

    1. Select the desired CSV file

    1. Select Import
    2. The control adds the tool data to the tool management.
    3. If required, the control opens the Confirm import window (e.g., in case of identical tool numbers).

    1. Selecting the procedure:
      • Append: the control adds the tool data as new rows at the end of the table.
      • Overwrite: the control overwrites the initial tool data with the tool data from the transfer file.
      • Cancel: the control cancels the import process.
     
    Notice
    Caution: Data may be lost!
    When overwriting existing tool data with the Overwrite function, the control will permanently delete the initial tool data!
    1. Use this function only with tool data that are no longer needed

    Exporting tool data

    To export tool data:

      1. Select the Tables operating mode

      1. Select Tool management

      1. Enable Edit
      2. The control enables tool management for editing.

      1. Mark the tool to be exported
      2. Open the context menu with a long press or by right-clicking
      3. Context menu

      4. Select Mark row
      5. Mark further tools if required

      1. Select Export
      2. The control opens the Save as window.

      1. Select a path
      2.  
        Tip

        By default, the control saves the transfer file under TNC:\table.

      3. Enter the file name
      4. Select the file type
      5.  
        Tip

        You can export the following CSV formats:

        • TNC7 (semicolon-separated)
        • iTNC 530 / TNC 640 (comma-separated)

      1. Select Create
      2. The control will save the file using the selected path.

      Notes

       
      Notice
      Caution: Possible material damage!
      If the transfer file contains unknown column names, the control will not accept the data from this column! In this case, the control will perform the operations with an incompletely defined tool.
      1. Check whether the column names are correct
      2. After importing, check the tool data and adapt them if required.
      • The transfer file must be saved under TNC:\table.
      • The control creates an output of the CSV files with the following formatting:
        • TNC7 (semicolon-separated) encloses the values in double quotation marks, the individual values are separated by semicolons
        • iTNC 530 / TNC 640 (comma-separated) encloses the values in double curly brackets, the individual values are separated by commas
      • Most table calculation programs use a semicolon as the default separator.

      • The control is able to import and export data in both formats.