Turret Tool Torque Limit Setting via Tool Holder Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turret tool selection methods require complex and cumbersome processes to set appropriate tool information, such as torque limiting values, for machining operations, which hinder efficient and flexible tool selection.

Innovation Solution

A tool information setting device that includes a first storage portion for tool holder numbers and tool information, a second storage portion for turret face numbers, and a tool information setting portion to acquire and send appropriate tool information to a motor controller based on turret face numbers, enabling simple and flexible tool selection and machining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a turret tool selection instruction method is used to select tools based on turret face numbers, then tool selection flexibility is improved, but the complexity of setting and managing tool information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool selection flexibilityVSAvoidtool information setting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-stores tool holder numbers and their corresponding tool information in a database before machining operations begin. This preliminary preparation allows the control device to quickly retrieve and apply appropriate tool information during machining without requiring complex real-time setting operations, thus resolving the contradiction between selection flexibility and information setting complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary that automatically matches turret face numbers from machining programs with corresponding tool holder numbers and tool information from the database. This intermediary function eliminates the need for operators to manually manage complex tool information mappings, enabling flexible tool selection while simplifying the information setting process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If tool information such as torque limiting values is manually set for each tool, then machining accuracy is improved, but the time and complexity required for information management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining accuracyVSAvoidinformation setting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically retrieves tool information including torque limiting values from the pre-stored database based on tool holder numbers, eliminating the need for operators to manually set each parameter. The system serves itself by automatically matching and applying the correct tool information, thus maintaining machining accuracy while significantly reducing information setting time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

All tool information parameters are pre-stored in the database before machining operations. This preliminary action allows the control device to automatically retrieve and apply precise tool information during machining without requiring time-consuming manual input, resolving the contradiction between machining accuracy and information setting time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4006664B1Tool information setting device and machine tool
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 CITIZEN WATCH CO LTD
  • EP4006664B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4006664B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4006664B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tool information setting device sets simply and appropriately a torque limiting value to a tool of a tool holder mounted on a turret face corresponding to a turret face number based on the turret face number described in the machining program. The tool information setting device includes a first storage portion (34) in which a tool holder number and a torque limiting value of tool information, which are associated with each other, are stored, a second storage portion (35) in which a turret face number and a tool holder number, which are associated with each other, are stored, and a torque limiting value setting portion (30) as a tool information setting portion that acquires the tool holder number from the second storage portion (35) based on the turret face number described in the machining program, and acquires a torque limiting value from the first storage portion (34) based on the acquired tool holder number when selecting a predetermined tool (12) by the turret face number of the turret (8) on which the predetermined tool is mounted.