Tool-ID

Within the scope of the extended tool programming the CNC provides the tool management area (WZM) with new tool-related communication objects. These are the enhanced tool descriptions (WZ) and tool service life variables.

In today's standard programming, single-element numbers are used for identifying the tools in the NC program. According to DIN 66025, this numerical ID is programmed together with the D word that is used for including new data (computational tool change). In conjunction with the T language command, the ID defines the next tool that shall physically be changed in.

To include new data, this data must be requested from today's external tool management. The tool management function possesses specific manufacturer-related algorithms that are used for determining the tool that must be changed in based on the tool identification. It must be considered that the transferred tool ID only defines the tool type, and that the tool magazine may contain several tools of the same type (alternate tools) that are ready to be used. Thus, a specific tool cannot clearly be identified in the NC program.

In first instance, the T number is used as a technological information. This means that it reaches the PLC via the NC channel. According to DIN 66025, M06 is used for triggering the physical insertion of the new tool into the working spindle. The separate specification of the two commands "T with tool number" and M06 may be used for performing preparatory measures (in the tool magazine, for example) after the T command and before M06 inserts the tool into the working spindle.

In the extended tool management, tool data is defined by a three-digit number. Below, we refer to this number as the "tool ID".

Tool ID = base tool number + alternate tool number + modification number

The base tool number describes the tool type, and the alternate tool number describes a tool unit of this type. The modification number has a purely data-related significance. It permits different data records to be used for a tool.