Adapting BMD tool presetter to machine tools

Selecting a suitable tool presetter for external setting of machine centre tools is not an easy task for the user. The reason is not an unclear situation among instrument types and their manufacturers, but a correct and effective selection of accessories.

The following text provides simple instructions how to choose a tool presetter and especially suitable accessories.

A. Instrument for tool presetter selection

The most important parameters for a correct instrument selection for tool presetting are as follows:

• Required diameter (radius) of the checked tool

• Required length of the checked tool

• Basic adapter type

When selecting required diameter (radius) of the tool to be set, these values must not be confused, especially when the user considers also the checking and setting of non-rotary tools, for example in VDI holders.

When selecting the maximal length of a tool, calculations must include a possible use of reductions, which shorten the effective length.

The basic adapter, e.g. dimension of a fastening shank of the tool, should be selected according to the biggest dimension to enable the reduction from this adapter to other possible adapters. With our products, the basic adapter is always included in the instrument price.

After selecting these two parameters, the instrument equipment is to be chosen. At present, our customers usually choose between a projector and one or two cameras. Special attention should be paid to camera parameters and software equipment should be carefully compared.

Another selection may be tool fastening, since it affects especially repeated accuracy of the tool fastening. The decisive aspect is the value of difference between a feely inserted and fastened tool. This difference may be easily tested on our test bars with known rated dimensions.

B. Accessories for tool presetter selection

Accessories in BMD include especially adapters, which should - as precisely as possible concerning the tool cutting edge position - simulate tool fastening in the machining centre. An important aspect is to set precisely the beginning of coordinates of the adapter concerned. To do so, a mass primary standard is used, with the cutting edge position evaluated by a calibration laboratory and verified with a calibration protocol. This ensures high accuracy of the tool setting as well as the connection of the toolsetter to national standards. This applies to companies with their instrument included in the ISO system as an operational measuring gauge.

Selecting suitable adapters for tool presetter requires almost always contact between the supplier and customer. Source material for the adapter selection is our table of standard accessories, which the potential customer receives together with the instrument offer.

In addition to adapters and test bars the table contains information on the instruments connection to DNC network or sending data on set tools to the machining centre control system.

The most important aspect of the adapter selection is again the determination of maximal dimensions of tools to be set. The result must include also the adapter dimensions and must be compared with chosen coordinates of the instrument.