Intelligent Tools

Smart Tools - CB without writing code

Counter Bore as a single tool action by selecting the Primary Tool from Tool Wall.

How to do it: 1) Select the Primary Step Drill (Counter Bore Drill) from the tool changer of a machine. 3) Enter the X,Y,Z coordinates or only the Z coordinate to execute from the current position.(this feature makes it possible to use your CNC mill like a manual machine) 4) Confirm the fixture and Work offsets from list. Click Next: The code is sent to the machine for you to start working. Note: Unless a saved routine is called, the Primary Tool has to be installed in a machine. All other tools will be installed automatically if not present.

Note: Analyzing and programming for each tool or tool group is a tall order and requires a lot of time. We will therefore release the Smart Tool package not as one module but enable various tool or tool groups within the software as they become available.

Single / Multi Tool Conversational Machining

Smart Tools - Drill & CB without writing code

Dill a hole and Counter Bore can be combined into a routine. Make drill pattern and save as a file for recall.

How to do it: 1) Select the Primary Step Drill (Counter Bore Drill) from Tool Wall. 2) Browse and select a routine from the Routine List 3) Enter the X,Y,Z coordinates or only the Z coordinate to execute from the current position.(this feature makes it possible to use your CNC mill like a manual machine) 4) Confirm the fixture and Work offsets from list. Click Next: The code is sent to the machine for you to start working. Note: Tools that are not in the machine will be installed automatically.

Note: Analyzing and programming for each tool or tool group is a tall order and requires a lot of time. We will therefore release the Smart Tool package not as one module but enable various tool or tool groups within the software as they become available.

Single / Multi Tool Conversational Machining

Smart Tools - Face-mill settings page

The “Face-mill” is mostly used in a separate operation such as work piece preparation or finishing. Before any Smart Tool can be used, the corresponding tool settings have to be applied which become the default after completion. The input however is minimal as most settings are defaulted from the tool profile and/or from previous values applied.

The “Face-mill Action” is supported by two tool functions. Shown is the face-mill tool settings page.

The “Smart Tool” Face Mill is available now

Note: Analyzing and programming for each tool or tool group is a tall order and requires a lot of time. We will therefore release the Smart Tool package not as one module but enable various tool or tool groups within the software as they become available.

Smart Tools - Chamfer tool settings page

The “Chamfer Action” is supported by three tool functions. Shown is the chamfer tool settings page.

The “Chamfer Tool” is mostly used as a “Secondary Tool”, a supporting role of other “Primary Tool” routines. The correct function is therefore selected automatically from within the selected routine.

Note: Analyzing and programming for each tool or tool group is a tall order and requires a lot of time. We will therefore release the Smart Tool package not as one module but enable various tool or tool groups within the software as they become available.

The “Smart Tool” Chamfer function is available for linear function

Smart Tools - Facing without writing code

The “Facing Function” is supported by two tool path pattern functions. Execute one tool, two tools, or all three.

How to do it: 1) Enter “Starting Thickness” 2) Enter “Finishing Thickness” 3) Choose if you want a “First Cut” to take off mill-scale, when milling steel. 4) Choose if you want a “Last Cut” to have a good finish. 5) Enter “Work Piece” coordinates. 6) Select “Multi Path” or “Spiral Path” function. 7) Click “Next”. (The code is transfered to the machine for you to start milling) Note: The Primary Tool has to be installed in a machine. All other tools will be installed automatically if not present.

The “Smart Tool” Facing function is available now

Note: Analyzing and programming for each tool or tool group is a tall order and requires a lot of time. We will therefore release the Smart Tool package not as one module but enable various tool or tool groups within the software as they become available.

Single / Multi Tool Conversational Machining

Smart Tools - Drilling large diameter holes

Just select a larger diameter drill from a tool changer and it will bring up the preset legend. The protocol calls for a Center Drill a Pre-Drill and the Primary Tool. The Pre-drill is set for drilling as deep as the Primary Tool. If however the set depth of the Primary Drill is deeper then the length of the Pre-Drill allows, the pre-drilling is done only of the E- max value of the Pre-Drill. The work flow is simple: 1) Select the drill for the size of hole you want to drill from the tool changer. 2) Enter the X,Y,Z coordinates or only the Z coordinate to execute from the current position.(this feature makes it possible to use your CNC mill like a manual machine) 3) Click “Code” (the generated G- Code is sent to the machine). 4) Execute (run) the program.

Note: Analyzing and programming for each tool or tool group is a tall order and requires a lot of time. We will therefore release the Smart Tool package not as one module but enable various tool or tool groups within the software as they become available.

Use your CNC machine in lieu of a manual machine for small jobs. Select a tool - Enter coordinates - Run it.

The “Smart Tool” Drilling function is in the testing phase

Single / Multi Tool Conversational Machining

Smart Tools - PENG Function G173

Basic canned cycles are often insufficient to control specialized tools or the resulting chips. Currently we are developing axis specific functions for better tool control and Macros for machining standard objects. Besides tapping, our P.E.N.G. G173 function is used for all Z- Axis movements and has the flexibility to adjust to all tools. The needed function variables are entered automatically from the TW tool data and are invoked by selecting a tool from Tool Wall. Depending on the tool selected, G173 produces different results with only one function. The example on the left shows the tool setting UI of a Porting Tool. The PENG G173 Macro function for this tool automatically changes the RPM with a diameter change, resulting in optimal cycle time, carbide life, chip control and surface finish.

Note: We invite tool manufacturers to participate in Smart Tools. Data of participants is resident in Tool Wall. This data is inserted as default whenever a participants tool is used. Tools are operated with optimal tested manufacturer cutting data, reducing data related tool breakage.

Pre-Engineered Numeric G-code

Custom canned cycle development program disclosure (07.07.2015)

Note: Analyzing and programming for each tool or tool group is a tall order and requires a lot of time. We will therefore release the Smart Tool package not as one module but enable various tool or tool groups within the software as they become available.

A Tool that knows what it can do. Like a Tradesman A Tool that guides the machine like a driver a car Development program disclosure page (11.07.2011) Event driven machining - Intelligent Tools Current Development Project Imagine would drive A good workforce Tools that have superior geometries, material, and the best tool specific data. A responsive machine A machine that has a fast and correct response to minor adjustments of it’s driver, the tool. A good plan In form of a program from a CAM system that can be modulated by the workforce (tools) if the work situation changes. A good supervisor A module that monitors conditions (torque, vibration, heat, sound) and makes changes to the program to expedite the process. A quality controller Make a graph of all the operational data of a work process. Compare it with the next identical one. If they match the workpiece passes. if Tools the process for a good job we need