The Tool Diameter Cycle

Introduction

This topic will explain the Tool Diameter cycle, will describe how to access it, will explain the options found in it, and will explain how to use it with quick steps.

The Tool Diameter Cycle

 

The radius or diameter of a tool is measured while the tool is rotating.Radial measurement is made on either one side or on both sides of the beam. The effective radius or diameter is written into the tool offset register. If the controller has separate wear and geometry registers, the wear register is zeroed and the radius/diameter value is placed in the geometry register.

To access the Tool Diameter cycle:

 

  1. In the CAM Tree, right-click Milling Tools, and select Tool Crib.

    The Tool Crib dialog launches in the Data Entry Manager.

  2. Add all tools needed for the job.

  3. Click OK.

    The Tool Crib dialog closes.

  4. In the CAM Tree, locate the desired Machine Setup for the Probing cycle, right-click the Machine Setup, and select Probing.

    The Probing dialog launches in the Data Entry Manager.

  5. In the Machining Strategy list of the Feature page, click the Non-Contact Tool Setter operation.

    The Non-Contact Tool Setter operation replaces the Measure operation in Current Operations list.

  6. Click the Operations(s) tab.

  7. Select the appropriate cycle from the drop down list in the Cycle section of the Parameters tab.

The Data Entry Parameters

Parameters

Tool

  • Tool Name - This drop down will list all the tools currently in the tool crib.

  • Override Tool Data
    - With this check box selected, you will be able to update the Tool Number and Tool Diameter.
    - With this check box cleared, editing of the Tool Number and Tool Diameter is unavailable.

  • Tool Number - Lists the Tool Number of the currently selected tool.

  • Tool Diameter - Lists the diameter of the currently selected tool.
    - With this check box selected, the tool radius will be output for the cycle.
    - With this check box cleared, default maximum tool radius will be used for the cycle.

 

Tip: Select the Tool Diameter check box to output the proper radius for the tool.

 

 

  • Diameter Offset - determines the diameter offset to update in the cycle. By default this value matches the current tool number.

Options

  • Tool Offset - Tool length offset number. This is the offset location in which the measured tool length is stored when it needs to be different from the active tool number.

  • Broken Tool Flag - Tool out of tolerance flag. Use this flag to prevent a tool OUT OF TOLERANCE alarm from being raised. Enter the value to be called out with the flag.

 

  • Overtravel Distance - The default overtravel distance and radial clearance. Overtravel is the distance through the beam that the tool is permitted to move before a BEAM NOT CUT alarm is initiated. Radial clearance is the distance between the tool and the beam when moving down the side of the beam.

  • Spindle Speed - The default spindle speed. Measurement cycles are optimized for a spindle speed of 3000 r/min. Some tools – for example, those that are unbalanced or large – must be run at speeds less than 3000 r/min. This is the responsibility of the user. Use the ‘S’ input to set the speed. Measurement cycle times increase with slower speeds. The minimum speed is 800 r/min.

  • Diameter Tolerance - When this input is used, the tool offset is not updated if the tool radius/ diameter is found to be out of tolerance.

  • Step Distance - The step distance between each radial measurement when using the Xx input.

  • Experience Value (Diameter) - This value is the difference between the measured radius/diameter of the tool and the actual radius/diameter when the tool is under load during the cutting process. It is used to refine the measured radius/diameter, based on previous experience of how the effective radius/diameter differs from the measured radius/diameter when the tool is under load.

  • Search Distance - Search distance for a high spot in the spindle axis. This defines a search distance above the Z input measuring height that is used to find a radial high spot on the cutter. It is suitable for single-point boring bars and cutters with irregular radial profiles. Entering a position number will search for the highest point in a convex diameter, while using a negative value will search for the lowest point in concave diameter.

  • Measuring Height - Measuring height of the tool. This is the Sp-axis position from the end face of the tool at which measurement of the radius/diameter takes place.

Quick Steps - Tool Diameter

  1. In the CAM Tree, right-click Milling Tools, and select Tool Crib.

    The Tool Crib dialog launches in the Data Entry Manager.

  2. Add all tools needed for the job.

  3. Click OK.

    The Tool Crib dialog closes.

  4. In the CAM Tree, locate the desired Machine Setup for the Probing cycle, right-click the Machine Setup, and select Probing.

    The Probing dialog launches in the Data Entry Manager.

  5. In the Machining Strategy list of the Feature page, click the Non-Contact Tool Setter operation.

    The Non-Contact Tool Setter operation replaces the Measure operation in Current Operations list.

  6. Click the Operations(s) tab.

  7. Select the appropriate cycle from the drop down list in the Cycle section of the Parameters tab.

  1. In the Parameter section, select the tool and adjust the select the Override Tool Data check box is necessary.

    If you select the Override Tool Data check box, adjust the Tool Number and Tool Diameter values as needed.

  2. In the Options section, select the check boxes for any and all calls required in the output and set their values as needed.

  3. Select the Raw Text tab in order to output any macros or code manually.

  4. In the Raw Text tab, select the Output in NC Program check box.

  5. Enter the data to be output in the text field.

  6. Click OK.

    The operation is added to the CAM Tree.

Example 1 - Diameter

In this example we: 

 

  • Setup the Tool Crib.
  • Select the Tool Diameter cycle.
  • Select the tool.

Part 1) Setting up the Tool Crib

  1. In the CAM Tree, right-click Milling Tools, and select Tool Crib.

    The Tool Crib dialog launches in the Data Entry Manager.

  2. Add all tools needed for the job.

  3. Click OK.

    The Tool Crib dialog closes.

Part 2) Selecting the Diameter cycle

  1. In the CAM Tree, locate the desired Machine Setup for the Probing cycle, right-click the Machine Setup, and select Probing.

    The Probing dialog launches in the Data Entry Manager.

  2. In the Machining Strategy list of the Feature page, click the Non-Contact Tool Setter operation.

    The Non-Contact Tool Setter operation replaces the Measure operation in Current Operations list.

  3. Click the Operations(s) tab.

By default the Tool Length is the selected cycle.

  1. Click the drop down and select Tool Diameter from the list.

Part 3) Selecting the Tool to be set

  1. In the Parameters section, select the tool to be set from the drop down list.

    By default the Tool Offset is set to the tool number of the selected tool.

  2. Click OK to create the Tool Diameter cycle and exit the dialog.

Example 2 - Tool Diameter with Diameter Experience

In some cases, after operations have been run, probing the part reveals a variation in the walls of the part, this can be caused by the forces of the job deflecting the tool slightly. When probing operations reveal these discrepancies, it can be necessary to account for them when setting the diameter of the tool.

 

In this example we: 

 

  • Setup the Tool Crib.
  • Select the Tool Diameter cycle.
  • Select the tool.
  • Account for tool deflection with Diameter Experience.

Part 1) Setting up the Tool Crib

  1. In the CAM Tree, right-click Milling Tools, and select Tool Crib.

    The Tool Crib dialog launches in the Data Entry Manager.

  2. Add all tools needed for the job.

  3. Click OK.

    The Tool Crib dialog closes.

Part 2) Selecting the Tool Diameter cycle

  1. In the CAM Tree, locate the desired Machine Setup for the Probing cycle, right-click the Machine Setup, and select Probing.

    The Probing dialog launches in the Data Entry Manager.

  2. In the Machining Strategy list of the Feature page, click the Non-Contact Tool Setter operation.

    The Non-Contact Tool Setter operation replaces the Measure operation in Current Operations list.

  3. Click the Operations(s) tab.

By default the Tool Length is the selected cycle.

  1. Click the drop down and select Tool Diameter from the list.

Part 3) Selecting the Tool to be set

  1. In the Parameters section, select the tool to be set from the drop down list.

    By default the Diameter Offset is set to the tool number of the selected tool.

Part 4) Accounting for tool deflection with Diameter Experience

  1. In the Options section, select the check box for Diameter Experience.

  2. Update the Diameter Experience value to reflect the variation found in the probing cycle.

    This value will be added to the Diameter found by the tool setter cycle.

  3. Click OK to create the Tool Diameter cycle and exit the dialog.

 

Tip: To learn about how to use the Broken Tool Flag option, see the examples in the Broken Tool - Plunge and/or Broken Tool - Solid topics.