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.

Requirements

  • To perform a tool usage test, you need a tool usage file
  • In the machine parameter createUsageFile (no. 118701), the machine manufacturer defines whether the Generate tool-usage file function will be enabled.

  • Tool usage file

  • The Generate tool-usage file setting is set to Once or Always
  • Channel Settings

  • Use the same tool table for the simulation as for the program run
  • The 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 the Refresh icon in the Tool usage area of the Tool check column

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

The Tool check column in the Program workspace

The Tool usage area

If no tool-usage file has been created yet, the Tool usage area is empty.

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

Select the Refresh icon to create a tool-usage file for your NC program.

The Tool check area

The Tool check area is empty until you perform a tool usage test with the Refresh icon.

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.

  • Using TOOL CALL to call a tool

  • Automatically inserting a replacement tool with M101

Performing the tool usage test

To perform a tool usage test:

    1. Select the Editor operating mode

    1. Select Add
    2. Select the desired NC program

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

    1. Open the Tool check column

    1. In the Tool usage area, select Refresh
    2. The control generates a tool usage file and displays the tools used in the Tool usage area.
    3. Tool usage file

    1. In the Tool check area, select Refresh
    2. The control performs the tool usage test.
    3. The Tool check area shows whether all tools are available and have sufficient remaining tool life.

    Notes

    • If you double-tap or double-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.
    • The Simulation settings window allows selecting when the control generates a tool usage file for the simulation.
    • The Simulation workspace

    • The control saves the tool usage file as a dependent file (*.dep).
    • Tool usage file

    • In the settings of the Files operating mode, you can specify whether the control displays dependent files in the file management.
    • Areas of file management

    • The control displays the order of tool calls of the currently running NC program in the T usage order (#93 / #2-03-1) table.
    • T usage order (#93 / #2-03-1)

    • An overview of all tool calls of the NC program active in the program run is displayed by the control in the Tooling list table (#93 / #2-03-1).
    • Tooling list (#93 / #2-03-1)

    • The function FN 18: SYSREAD ID975 NR1 allows querying the tool usage test for an NC program.
    • The function FN 18: SYSREAD ID975 NR2 IDX allows querying the tool usage test for a pallet table. After IDX you define the pallet table row.
    • 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.