Setting up a tool

This chapter uses an example to show how to set up a tool.

To set up a tool, the following steps are necessary:

  • Preparing the tools
  • Opening the Tool management application and the Form workspace
  • Inserting a tool in the tool management
  • Defining the tool
  • Entering the tool in the pocket table

You have to set up the tools to enable the control to position, simulate and compensate for the tools, for example.

Example tool

Tool

Parameter

Value

Name

MILL_D12

L

+120

R

+6

R2

+0

TYP

Roughing mill (MILL_R)

LCUTS

+20

LU

28

RN

4.8

R-TIP

0

T-ANGLE

+0

CUTS

4

Preparing the tools

To prepare tools:

  1. Clamp the required tools in the tool holder
  2. Measure the tools (e.g., with a presetter)
  3. Write down the parameters
  4. Now the tool is ready.
 
Tip

Opening the Tool management application and the Form workspace

The Tool management application with the Table and Form workspaces

You enter tools in the Tool management application of the Tables operating mode. You define tool parameters in the Form workspace. In the Form workspace, the control shows the required parameters of the selected tool.

To open the Tool management application and the Form workspace:

    1. Select the Tables operating mode
    2. The control displays the Tables operating mode.
    3. Select Tool management
    4. The control displays the Tool management application.

    1. In the application bar, select Workspaces
    2. Select Form
    3. The control opens the FormSimulation workspace.

    Inserting a tool in the tool management

    To insert a tool:

      1. Activate Edit

      1. Select Insert tool
      2. The control opens the Insert tool window.
      3. Select the tool type, for example Roughing mill (MILL_R)
      4. Enter the line number, if required

      1. Select OK
      2. The control inserts the new tool

      Defining the tool

      To define the tool with the measured parameters:

      1. Enter the tool name NAME (e.g., MILL_D12)
      2. Enter the tool length L (e.g., 120)
      3. Enter the tool radius R (e.g., 6)
      4. Enter the tooth LCUTS (e.g., 20)
      5. Enter the usable length LU (e.g., 28)
      6. Enter the neck radius RN (e.g., 4,8)
      7. Enter the number of teeth CUTS (e.g., 4)
      8. The control saves the tool with all entered parameters.
       
      Tip

      Based on the entered parameters, the control shows the tool correctly in the Simulation workspace.

      The Simulation workspace

      To use the full performance range, you have to define further parameters, such as KINEMATIC (tool-carrier kinematics for collision monitoring). You need different parameters depending on the tool type.

      Tool parameters

      Entering the tool in the pocket table

       
      Machine

      Refer to your machine manual!

      Access to the tool_p.tch pocket table is machine-dependent.

      Pocket table application with opened Table workspace

      The tool_p.tch pocket table provides the pocket assignment of the tool magazine. You must add the tool to the pocket table in order for the control to be able to insert the tool. The tool must be stored in the machine.

      To enter a tool in the pocket table:

      1. Select the Pocket table application
      2. The control displays the Pocket table application.
      3. Enter the desired pocket number in the Table workspace
      4. Open the Form workspace

      1. Activate Edit
      2. Select the tool number T
      3. The control opens the Tool selection window.
      4. Select the tool you want to use

      1. Select OK
      2. The control inserts the tool in the pocket table.
      3. Define additional parameters if necessary (e.g., to reserve a pocket)