• Reduce tool setup time by providing individual fields for each aspect of the tool
• Eliminate setup and machining errors due to human calculation errors 
• Eliminate setup and machining errors due to offset assignment mistakes
• Reduce setup time by assigning a fixed offset number to each physical tool location, therefore only requiring geometry data on new tools 
• Reduce training requirements since offsets are clearly labeled - length, radius and wear
• Automate tool offset data entry by integrating with tool measurement probe system
• Simplify tool maintenance decisions by increasing visibility of tool wear value

Historically, tool offsets have been general purpose memory locations that the operator could edit. The programmer assigned meaning to each offset by using it appropriately in the program, but the meaning had to be communicated to the operator to ensure that the offsets were edited appropriately.

Tool Compensation Memory C provides a simplified logical scheme to associate all tool geometry and wear data to a single offset number. Individual fields are provided for tool length, tool length wear, tool diameter and tool diameter wear. By consistently associating tool offset numbers with the equivalent physical tool number, data entry errors are reduced and manufacturing communications are simplified.

Features

• Individual fields for tool length, tool length wear, tool diameter and tool diameter wear
• Expandable to 64, 99, 200, 400, 499, or 999 offset sets (see table for control series options)
• Length offsets activated with H-code
• Radius offsets activated with D-code 
• Radius data used by Cutter Compensation
• Effectively doubles the number of tool offsets available, while simplifying data entry
• Compatible with automatic probing systems

Tool offsets allow the part programmer to assume a machine independent reference position and a zero radius tool when generating a part program. The geometry offsets compensate for the difference between that assumed reference position and the actual machine and tool dimensions.

In the example above, tool 1 has a nominal length of 10.5” and a radius of 1.5”. During processing, a tool wear offset of 0.005” has been applied to the length and 0.001” to the radius.

The length offset is activated by the G43 command, and the tool number and the tool offset number are the same, simplifying the process for the part programmer and the operator:

O1234
..
T01 M06 (select tool number 1)
G43 H01 (activate tool length offset number 1)
..
M30

Limited Time Special Offer

For the month of May, upgrade your existing M-Series control with Tool Offset Memory C at a 20% discount. Contact Dick Swisher, (1-800-GEFANUC) or your local GE Fanuc sales team for more details.