Cutting Tool Data Transfer via Separate Storage for CNC Setup Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transmitting tool data to CNC machine tools are inefficient, prone to confusion, and error-prone, often relying on paper-based or printed records, which can lead to misidentification and increased manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a storage medium, such as a data chip, to store tool setting, measurement, and process data, which is identified using a tool identification unit and automatically transmitted to a CNC machine tool's data processing unit, enabling wireless communication and minimizing manual input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If paper-based or printed records are used for tool data transmission, then manual intervention is increased and confusion is prone, but simplicity of implementation is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual paper-based data transmission with an automated electronic data communication system. The control device automatically reads tool data from the storage medium and transmits it to the CNC machine tool, eliminating the need for manual copying or entry of tool parameters from paper records.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service data transmission where the control device autonomously retrieves tool data from the storage medium attached to or associated with the cutting tool and automatically transmits it to the CNC machine tool without requiring manual intervention or external assistance.
2Productivity
If automated data transmission is implemented, then efficiency is improved and errors are reduced, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it manages tool data storage, reads tool identification features, retrieves tool data from the storage medium, and transmits data to the CNC machine tool. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated control device.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage medium acts as an intermediary carrier that physically associates tool data with the cutting tool. This intermediary enables automatic data retrieval and transmission without requiring complex direct communication protocols between the tool and CNC machine tool.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tool data is stored separately from the cutting tool, then data management flexibility is improved, but risk of misidentification is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The control device reads the tool identification feature from the cutting tool or its holder and uses this feedback to accurately retrieve the corresponding tool data from the storage medium. This feedback mechanism ensures that the correct tool data is transmitted, preventing misidentification even when data is stored separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool data is pre-stored in the storage medium and associated with the cutting tool through the tool identification feature before the cutting tool is used. This preliminary association enables reliable automatic retrieval and transmission of the correct tool data when the cutting tool is later identified by the control device.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is based on methods for transmitting at least one set of tool setting data of a cutting tool (14) stored on a storage medium (12), a set of tool measuring data of the cutting tool (14) and/or a set of tool process data of the cutting tool (14) to a computerized numerically controlled machine tool (CNC machine tool, 16), with a data communication unit (18), wherein, in a tool delivery step (20), at least the cutting tool (14) is delivered to the CNC machine tool (16) and wherein, in a tool identification step (22), the delivered cutting tool (14) is identified by means of a tool identification unit (24). It is proposed that the method comprises a reading step (36), in which at least the set of tool setting data of the cutting tool (14), at least the set of tool measuring data of the cutting tool (14) and/or at least the set of tool process data of the cutting tool (14) are read by the data communication unit (18) from the storage medium (12) and is transmitted to a data processing unit (28) assigned to the CNC machine tool (16), wherein the storage medium (12) is arranged separately from the cutting tool (14), separately from a tool holder (30) holding the cutting tool (14) and separately from the CNC machine tool (16).