12.4 Tooling
12.4.7 Tools
The TOOLS table displays all available tool sets and their technical data.
Before describing Tool data in detail, we will explain how the NC manages such data in relation to the Tool-Spindle association.
As seen above, the NC can manage three types of spindles: VERTICAL SPINDLE, HORIZONTAL SPINDLE, ROUTER SPINDLE.
The difference between these three types is that, in general, Vertical Spindles and (possibly separately) Horizontal Spindles on the same head have a shared drive, whereas each Pantograph Spindle has its own drive. It follows that some movements for Vertical and Horizontal Spindles must be identical for all spindles belonging to the same head (for example, "drilling drop"), whereas each Pantograph Spindle is independent of the others.
Due to this distinction, the NC manages Tool data differently, depending on the type of spindle on which a tool may be fit. Specifically: if a tool is fit on a Vertical or Horizontal spindle, the NC does not consider any of the data pertaining to the tool itself.
For each datum described, its different use will be given in relation to the types of spindles usable.
Selecting TOOLS gives access to a table similar to that in Figure 12.30.
Figure 12.30: TOOLS Table
As may be seen, the table is organised in the form of a matrix; each column of the matrix identifies the data set for a specific tool.
For example: column CERN35 contains all of the data for the tool identified by code CERN35.
The tool selected is the one in whose column there is a datum displayed in insertion mode (dark background).
Diameter of router tool
Assigns tool diameter in mm.
Tool lenght
Defines tool length; i.e., how far the tool extends from the nose of the spindle
Drill type
Defines a code interpreted by the optimiser. Based on this cose, the optimiser inserts a defined routine into the optimisation program that executes the tool work cycle. The routine that executest the tool work cycle is defined in the DRILLING TYPE table.
(F,P,S,I) Working
Defines a code interpreted by the optimiser.
The optimiser, based on this code, decides if the tool can be used for boring, routing or both. The codes are:
F indicates a boring tool, P indicates a routing tool,
F,P indicates a boring and routing tool.
Working speed
Assigns the drilling feed speed for drilling tools.
Connected drawing
This datum is managed by Graphic Configuration.
It indicates the drawing that must appear in the tools data display box in the Graphic Configuration window.
Category
This datum is managed by Graphic Configuration.
It assigns the tool to a specific subset of tools called Category.
Tables containing tools belonging to the same category may be displayed by means of the "Category Buttons" in Graphic Configuration.
Correction type
Not used for tooling on Vertical and Horizontal spindles.
If the tool is fit on a Pantograph Spindle, this datum is important for positioning the work point for the tool.
The NC reference is the point corresponding to the power takeoff of the spindle, and must correct the position levels programmed on the basis of tool length and/or diameter. To calculate these corrections, the NC must know the work directions for the spindle and tool.
There are the following possibilities:
0: indicates that the work direction of the tool is perpendicular to the work direction of the spindle.
The NC makes a first correction to the work direction of the spindle in an amount equal to the length of the tool. The NC may make a second correction perpendicular to the work direction of the spindle in an amount
Chapter 12 A.P. Technical data
CNI Controlli Numerici Industrialiequal to half the diameter of the tool if a Tool Radius Correction operation is programmed (G41, G42). The NC performs an additional correction perpendicular to the work direction of the spindle in an amount equal to half the value assigned to the Data for correction datum.
1: indicates that the correction takes place in the direction of the Z axis and has the same direction as the axis.
The NC performs a first correction, in the work direction of the spindle, of an amount equal to the length of the tool.
The NC performs a second correction, perpendicular to the work direction of the spindle, of an amount equal to one half of the diameter of the tool. The NC performs yet another correction, perpendicular to the work direction of the spindle, equal to one half of the value assigned to the Data for correction data.
The direction of the projection on axis Z of the correction perpendicular to the work direction matches with the direction of axis Z
2: indicates that the correction takes place in the direction of the Z axis and has the opposite direction of the axis.
The NC performs a first correction, in the work direction of the spindle, of an amount equal to the length of the tool.
The NC performs a second correction, perpendicular to the work direction of the spindle, of an amount equal to one half of the diameter of the tool. The NC performs yet another correction, perpendicular to the work direction of the spindle, equal to one half of the value assigned to the Data for correction data.
The direction of the projection on axis Z of the correction perpendicular to the work direction is opposite to the direction of axis Z.
14: indicates that the work direction of the tool is perpendicular to the work direction of the spindle.
The NC makes a first correction to the work direction of the spindle in an amount equal to the length of the tool.
The NC may make a second correction perpendicular to the work direction of the spindle in an amount equal to half the diameter of the tool if a Tool Radius Correction operation is programmed (G41, G42). The NC performs an additional correction in the work direction of the spindle in an amount equal to half the value assigned to the Data for correction datum.
(In practice, this is similar to case "0" except for the correction for wear, which is performed on tool length instead of on tool diameter.)
Rotation speed
Not used for tooling on Vertical and Horizontal spindles.
Tool tickness
Defines the part of tool useful for work. The following relationship must always be checked:
Tool tickness < Tool lenght
Example
A bit used for boring may have:Tool lenght = 30 mm
Tool tickness = 20 mm
Direction of rotation
Indicates direction of rotation of tool.
0: indicates that tool can rotate indifferently from right to left or from left to right.
1: indicates clockwise rotation,
2: indicates anticlockwise rotation.
Data for correction
This is a numerical value in thousandths of a millimetre that informs the NC how much the tool is worn as a result of work cycles performed.
Max rot speed
Not used for tooling on Vertical and Horizontal spindles.
Indicates the maximum speed at which the tool can rotate.
Min rotation speed
Not used for tooling on Vertical and Horizontal spindles.
Indicates the minimum speed at which the tool can rotate.
Acceleration ramp
Not used for tooling on Vertical and Horizontal spindles.
Assigns the time needed by motor to reach maximum speed. If no value is specified, the NC will use the value of the analogous datum in the ROUTER SPINDLE table in MACHINE_DATA.
Deceleration ramp
Not used for tooling on Vertical and Horizontal spindles.
Assigns the time needed by motor to stop. If no value is specified, the NC will use the value of the analogous datum in the ROUTER SPINDLE table in Machine Data.