Programming instructions

NC Programming 17VRS Tool Management Commands
8-1
DOK-MTC200-NC**PRO*V17-ANW1-EN-P
8 Tool Management Commands
8.1 Preparing Tools and Tool Data
The preparation of tools and tool data makes a distinction between the
magazine and the turret in the sense that both a physical and a logical
tool transfer between the spindle and the magazine (in some cases also
using grippers) is necessary and in the sense that with most magazines it
is necessary to pre-select the tool so that the magazine can be rotated
asynchronously to NC-program execution.
When a magazine is used, a theoretical distinction is made between a
pre-selected tool and an active tool in a tool spindle.
The pre-selection of a tool initiated by the NC-program causes the pre-
selected tool to be placed in the specified tool change position. The data
for this tool is not changed until the time of tool transfer, which is also
initiated from the NC-program. The tool management system does not
supply the data needed for the subsequent process until the transfer
command is performed. When this command is performed, the pre-se-
lected tool becomes the active tool and tool edge 1 becomes the default
active cutting edge.
During the process, the correction and tool life data for the active edge
are used for the length correction and for the edge radius/cutter radius
path compensation as well as for evaluating tool life.
With a turret, the tool which has been placed in the working position with
the aid of a tool call is referred to as the active tool.
A tool call initiated from the NC-program causes the pre-selected tool to
be placed in the specified working position. The tool management system
simultaneously supplies the tool data needed for the subsequent process.
Tool edge 1 automatically becomes the active edge.
During the process, the correction and tool life data for the active edge
are used for the length correction and for the edge radius/cutter radius
path compensation as well as for evaluating tool life.
Tool Selection and Tool Call ‘T’
The numerical value assigned to the address letter T by means of a con-
stant or a mathematical expression indicates the tool number or the tool
pocket number. The numerical value must be an integer between 0 and
9999999.
T<Constant>
T1234
T=<Expression>
T=@50
In a magazine, the T word works in combination with the NC-commands
MTP and MMP (see section 8.2 Tool Storage Motion Commands) solely
for the purpose of magazine positioning. The corresponding data are not
prepared until the next tool transfer by means of NC-commands TCH and
TMS (see also section 8.3 Tool Change Commands).
If a turret is used, the T word is used in combination with the NC-com-
mands MTP and MMP to bring the respective tool into the working posi-
tion and to activate the corresponding tool data.
The T0 call is used in combination with the MTP motion command to
bring an unused magazine pocket into the change position. The corre-
sponding tool data are canceled the next time a transfer is called. With a
revolver, the "T0" call works together with "MTP" not to produce a motion
but simply to cancel the corresponding tool data.
Syntax