Tool probes on machines are popular option to allow quick setting of the tool offsets to reduce setup time. If the machine is equipped with an automatic style tool probe there are additional features that can often be utilized. For example if an application calls for redundant tools for use with the tool life management feature, once all the tool lives have been expended though the course of the machining cycle, the operator would change all the tools and using a prewritten program use the automatic tool probe to automatically reconfirm all the tool offsets by cycling the program using the automatic mode. This could reduce the time from manually using the tool touch probe. Another often overlooked area for possible use is for broken tool detection. The automatic tool probe can very easily be written into a machining program to determine whether a cutting tool has been damaged, such as a drill or tap, and the machine cycle would then stop if the tool is found to be outside its preset limits.
Automatic Tool Probe Systems
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