Tool Data

The NC has 255 memory locations (D1..D255) available for each channel for tool data. The parameters for the tool data can be described directly in the System Manager. The data is saved as an ASCII file (<channel ID>.wz) which is kept in the TwinCAT\CNC directory. These files are automatically loaded when TwinCAT is started.

Tool Data 1:

Tool Data 2:

Currently two tool types are supported:

Drills
Shaft Cutters

The relevant columns (parameters) for this type of tool are described below.

Drills

Parameter	Meaning
0	Tool number When this D-word is called, a tool number that is specified here can be given at the same time.
1	Tool type The drill is type 10
2	Geometry: Length Describes the length of the drill
5	Wear: Length Describes the wear of the drill. The wear has to be given as a negative value, since it is added to the length.
8	Cartesian tool displacement in X direction
9	Cartesian tool displacement in Y direction
10	Cartesian tool displacement in Z direction

Shaft cutters

Parameter	Meaning
0	Tool number When this D-word is called, a tool number that is specified here can be given at the same time.
1	Tool type The shaft cutter is type 20
2	Geometry: Length Length of the shaft cutter
4	Geometry: Radius
5	Wear: Length
7	Wear: Radius
8	Cartesian tool displacement in X direction
9	Cartesian tool displacement in Y direction
10	Cartesian tool displacement in Z direction

Writing of tool data

Editing tool data with the System Manager

As already mentioned, the tool data can be written directly from the System Manager. To do this, edit the window shown above.

Parameterization of tool data via the PLC

Furthermore, tool data can be read and written from the PLC via the function block ItpWriteToolDescEx.

Writing tool data from the parts program

(from TwinCAT V2.9 Build 932)

In some applications, it is more convenient to write the tool data directly from the part program.

The tool set to be overwritten must not be active during the write process. This means, for example, if tool radius compensation with parameter set D10 is active, this cannot be overwritten, as long as D10 is still selected.

Command	#set ToolParam(<line>; <column>;<value>)#
Parameter <line>	Writes to the tool parameter line (1..255) This corresponds to the D number
Parameter <column>	Column to be written (0..15)
Parameter <value>	Parameter value to be transmitted

Sample:

N10 G0 X0 Y0 Z0
N20 G01 X100 F60000
N30 R1=10 R2=4 R3=20.3
N40 #set ToolParam(10; 0; 5)# #set ToolParam(10;1;20)#
N50 #set ToolParam(R1; R2; R3)#
N60 G41 X200 Y D10
...

	No formulas may be transmitted as parameters. Writing of the tool data does not require a decoder stop.

Reading tool data from the parts program

(from TwinCAT V2.10 B1329)

This command can be used to assign tool data to an R parameter.

Command	#get ToolParam(<line>; <column>;<R-Param>)#
Parameter <line>	Writes to the tool parameter line (1..255), this corresponds to the D number
Parameter <column>	Column to be written (0..15)
Parameter <R-Param>	R parameter in which the date is entered

Sample:

N10 G0 X0 Y0 Z0
N20 G01 X100 F60000
N30 R1=10 R2=4
N40 #get ToolParam(10; 0; R5)# #getToolParam(10;1;R20)#
N50 #get ToolParam(R1; R2; R3)#
N60 G41 X200 Y D10
...

	No formulas may be transmitted as parameters. Reading of the tool data does not require a decoder stop.