News | March 23, 2000

Westec 2000: Laser Tool Setter Is Fast, Simple, and Affordable

Source: Renishaw Inc.

A laser-based tool setting system from Renishaw Inc. Inc. (Schaumburg, IL) promises to increase machine productivity by measuring tools "at speed." The system gets the spindle into the cut faster and checks for dynamic errors.

Unlike touch-type tool setters, the NC1 tool setting system uses a laser to rapidly measure tool length and diameter at normal spindle speeds. Checking at working spindle speeds also quickly identifies dynamic errors caused by clamping inconsistencies and radial runout of the tool, spindle, or toolholder.

Renishaw's NC1 laser-based tool setter measures tools and provides broken tool detection on the fly to minimize out-of-cut time. The system can accurately measure tools as small as 0.2 mm anywhere along the visible red laser beam.

The NC1also performs broken tool detection at rapid traverse to further reduce out-of-cut time. Each facet of a multi-faceted tool can be checked as the tool moves from the cut back to the tool changer.

The device has no moving parts, and Renishaw says it is virtually maintenance-free, easy to install, and fast to set up using a "virtual pivot" system for beam alignment. The laser beam itself is generated by a diode-based laser at a power output of less than 1 mW. Laser optics are protected by a positive-pressure system that generates a continuous stream of air through the laser aperture to keep out debris and coolant.

Renishaw Inc., 623 Cooper Ct., Schaumburg, IL 60173. Phone (847) 843-3666; fax (847) 843-1744.

Edited by Jim Destefani