Tool Management for CNC Machines

Tool pre-setting and tool management result in the single largest efficiency gain for the size of its investment. The costs maybe relatively low but it requires time and effort to implement.

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“B-Machine Type” The “B Machines” tool type has a Tool Wall 50 Taper storage unit. A 50 Taper Tool Wall panel has a 60 tool capacity and can be expanded to 99 panels.

“E-Machine Type” The “E Machines” tool type has a Tool Wall HSK100 storage unit. A HSK100 Tool Wall panel has a 60 tool capacity and can be expanded to 99 panels.

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“D-Machine Type” The “D Machines” tool type has a Tool Wall HSK63 storage unit. A HSK63 Tool Wall panel has a 60 tool capacity and can be expanded to 99 panels.

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Tool Wall Go to “Common” Common tools are not permanently mounted in a Tool Holder but have a fixed location.

In the Common Tool Wall you store all the tools that are not permanently in a holder. To use a Common Tool, select a Tool Holder from a Tool Wall A, B, D or E first. Now select the Common Tool you want and an Assembly is created. Note: The Common Tool Tool Wall is optional. Common Tools are enabled with any Tool Wall purchase.

“Common Tools” Common tools are not permanently mounted in a Tool Holder but have a fixed location. Because they are not permanently in a holder, they can go into any machine group. Hence the name “Common Tools”. This tool type is automatically placed for a job by the Job Control module. This panel provides a fixed location for the tools without holder. Click on tool number 10

“Common Tools” This “Common Tool” is currently allocated to Tool Wall “A” at the position number 356 as a Tool Assembly. To find out, click on the Tool Status Icon. The advantage of a Common Tool over a BIN Tool is that it will be automatically found and installed during a Job-setup in the “Job Module”. A Tool Assembly is created by selecting a Tool Holder from within the relevant Machine Type Tool Wall first. From there the assembly can be installed into a machine,

Common Tool # 10 is in an assembly, joint with tool holder of Tool Wall position #360 and is currently in Machine Type “A” Machine#1 Pocket#2

Go To A - Machines All machines with the same Taper and the same “Pull Stud” belong to the same machine type. The Tool Wall storage system is machine specific. Made in Canada CAT40

Tool Wall-Kern The “A Machines” tool type has a TW-Kern 40 Taper storage unit with a capacity of 60 tools and is ideal for shops that have only 1 or 2 machines of one tool type. Made in Canada Active

Go To B- Machines All machines with the same Taper and the same “Pull Stud” belong to the same machine type. The Tool Wall storage system is machine specific. Made in Canada CAT50

Go To E - Machines All machines with the same Taper and the same “Pull Stud” belong to the same machine type. The Tool Wall storage system is machine specific. Made in Canada HSK100

Go To D - Machines All machines with the same Taper and the same “Pull Stud” belong to the same machine type. The Tool Wall storage system is machine specific. Made in Canada HSK63

Turning Centers Currently we are developing a system for Turning Centers and Combination Machines. This module will follow the same rules but has a different syntax. A Tool Wall for Cepto and VDI tool holders is in development.

Tool Status Keeps track of all your system tools and tool holders of this type. Records offsets, calculates “Feed & Speed” data, sends new offset values to machine after consumable adjustments.

Consumables This module keeps track of all your consumables. You can set the system to re-order if the Qty. is below the limit set.

Machine Status Create your machines in this module. Set the tool changer size, absolute zero and set the type of tool setup you prefer.

Tool Transfer Transfer tools in and out of your machines using this module. Tool Changer tool locations are displayed, semi- automatic tool setup file is generated and program active tools are displayed.

Job Control This module keeps track of all your jobs. With the set-up of a new job it tells you which tools needed are already in the machine and which tools you have to add. The whole process is automated here.

Settings Set all system parameters here. View the “Event Log” that records all events (entries) made and by whom.

BIN Tools have no fixed location. They are stored at any location or in a bin. Hence the designation “BIN” tools. Install a BIN tool by selecting a holder first. Now select a BIN tool and an assembly is created. BIN tools are not automatically selected for a job using the Job Control module. Go To the Tool BIN

In the Tool Bin you have all the tools that are loose in the shop without a fixed location. A deleted tool goes to the Tool Bin with all its data. They can be joined with a holder but are not automatically installed in “Job Control”.

Display this BIN tool You can create a Master Tool or a Common Tool from a BIN Tool. All Data will be copied. All deleted tools become BIN tools. Tool BIN Icon

This BIN Tool is located in the above locations in tool assemblies.

In the Tool Bin you have all the tools that are loose in the shop without a fixed location. A deleted tool goes to the Tool Bin with all its data. They can be joined with a holder but are not automatically installed in “Job Control”.

Made in Canada Tool Wall-Kern The “B Machines” tool type has a TW-Kern 30 Taper storage unit with a capacity of 60 tools and is ideal for shops that have only 1 or 2 machines of one tool type. If the 60 tool capacity is outgrown, TW-Kern can be upgraded to a Tool Wall Panel with a capacity of 160 tools. Further expansions up to 99 panels is possible.

The ? marks a “Help” feature location, answering questions using the Virtual Tool Wall. This facility is not only used for Tool Wall demonstration, but doubles as the software’s “Help” module and is accessible from within the Virtual Tool Wall software. The Help background contains Links that navigates to certain videos or sections of this demo and answers specific question topics.

To implement a tool management system is not an instant gratification experience as you will have to put in your tool data first to make it happening. If you have a lot of tools, that will take time. Note, your company is never too small for Tool Wall. It is just a lot easier as you have less data to enter to start. Once done though, you'll never want to go back as operations are much less complicated and much more efficient. Tool Wall is a system that can be expanded at any time. We suggest to start small and get the hang of it first. Expanding gets a lot faster too when you know the system and it is easier to justify an expansion when you have seen the results.

Displays tools not returned! Tools that were removed from a machine and have not been put back into Tool Wall are listed here. This is helpful for a “Tool Room” operation with many machines where tools are always in transit. This icon is only displayed as long as there are tools in the list.

Service the tool and return it to Tool Wall Before the tool room manager (Programmer) returns a tool for the next deployment it has to be checked and serviced. Click to highlight the tool that is ready to be returned and tap on the “Return this tool” button. Tools that exceeded 70% of it’s tool life on installation are marked. These tools should be serviced before they are return to Tool Wall.

The Tool Room feature allows shops to combine the “Programmer” job function with the Tool Room operation. In Tool Wall the set-up for a new job is logistically done in the Tool Room. The machine operator has to follow only the instructions provided by the Programmer in the Tool Room, adding to a more efficient work-flow.

This request for the tool time is only displayed when the Tool Time module is activated in Settings. Record this Feed Time when the tool is taken out of the machine, write this value onto a clipboard and reset the register in the controller back to Zero. Return the tool(s) and the clipboard to the Tool Room Manager for tool service and data input.

Before the tool room manager returns a tool for the next deployment it has to be checked and serviced. To return all tools at once click on the “Return All tools” button. If Tool Time is activated, no tool time is recorded when all tools are returned to Tool Wall via the “Return All Tools” button. Service the tool and return it to Tool Wall

The Tool Room feature allows shops to combine the “Programmer” job function with the Tool Room operation. In Tool Wall the set-up for a new job is logistically done in the Tool Room. The machine operator has to follow only the instructions provided by the Programmer in the Tool Room, adding to a more efficient work-flow.

Before the tool room manager returns a tool for the next deployment it has to be checked and serviced. To return all tools at once a warning that all tools are deleted from this list is displayed. The list content will be deleted and the tool status set to ok for the next deployment. The program returns back to the Main Menu. Service the tool and return it to Tool Wall

The Tool Room feature allows shops to combine the “Programmer” job function with the Tool Room operation. In Tool Wall the set-up for a new job is logistically done in the Tool Room. The machine operator has to follow only the instructions provided by the Programmer in the Tool Room, adding to a more efficient work-flow.

Feed-Speed Calculator Select a tool type Fill in data

Maintenance Alert

Basic or machine specific maintenance alerts are displayed. Maintenance is structured by dates starting with the date you entered. If a machine manufacturer is participating their machine specific program is resident. Note: This section is still under development.

Frequently asked Questions: Do Tool Wall Tools have a RF chip to record tool movement: No they have not. (implementation of RFID in testing stage) How does the software know where a tool is: All tool movement are made through Tool Wall. What if operators skip entries: All offset data are resident in Tool Wall. Since an operator needs these data to operate the tool, he/she has to send the data from Tool Wall to the machine. Hence the program knows the tool location and entries stay current. My company is too small for tool management: This is the best time to implement a tool management as tools have to be entered into the system first. It is much easier to enter the data for 60 tools than for 600 or more. How does my small company benefit from tool/job management: Regardless of being a small or large company, setting up for a new job takes time. Tool Wall reduces that to only a fraction and all operators can do it. Do I need a pre-setter for Tool Wall tool management: Yes. In Tool Wall all tool are preset for instant deployment. The preset values are stored with each tool in the tool management system. I am measuring tools with a gauge block. It woks fine for me: Think again! The machine is not running during that process. With a pre-setter you can set the tools while the machine is running. Most operations need only an in-expensive contact pre-setter. Pay-back will be in a few month. Is Tool Wall suitable for a Tool Room operation: Yes. Enable the Tool Room option. The tool room manager has control over all tools, inventory, tool deployment for all jobs. Where is the Pay-Back using Tool Wall with a tool room operation: Depending on the size of the operation, combine the job of the Tool Room Manager with the job of your programmer. He has now the full control over all the jobs and associated tool deployment. It is now a lot easier for the programmer to select the right tool for his code and can use the Tool Wall data for programming. Give your Programmer/Tool Room Manager a helper if needed. Do I have to have a Tool Wall storage: No, the software has a setting that is in the List Format, suitable for any tool storage you may already have.

5S brings vast Productivity, Organisational, Neatness, Standardisation and Safety improvements when implemented.

5S(methodology) tool handling system

5S 5S 5S 5S 5S 5S Clear the work area of not needed items Seiri 5S 5S Seiketsu Create a consistent approach to tasks 5S 5S Sitsuke Practice 5S daily with commitment Seiton Place items properly for quick retrieval and storage Seisu Keep work area neat and clean Orderliness Tidiness Cleanliness Standardization Discipline

Tool Tracking and Tool Management have the same UI (user interface) In order to start you out faster and to reduce the tedious data input in the beginning, the Consumable Module is disabled in Tool Tracking. Download Tool Tracking and evaluate if Tool Wall works for you.

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Made in Canada

All machines with the same Taper and the same “Pull Stud” belong to the same machine type. The Tool Wall storage system is physically different between types. This insures that tools can not be mixed up. A 40 taper tool holder from a Dawoo machine can physically not be placed into a Tool Wall belonging to 40 taper Haas machines.