Presetters and Measuring Equipment

Tool Presetters

Tool presetters streamline the tool setup process offline, enhance machining precision, and contribute to efficient production in manufacturing. Presetters are valuable for machinists looking to optimize their workflow and maintain high levels of accuracy in CNC machining.

In fact, manufacturers face various challenges in the manufacturing process that a presetter can help them address:

Time-Consuming Manual Tool Setup: Setting tools manually can be time-consuming, especially in complex machining operations. A presetter reduces setup time by providing quick and precise measurements, allowing manufacturers to increase spindle time by moving the tool setup offline.
Watch this video to see first hand how a presetter can help you decrease your machine downtime and increase your efficiency and productivity versus the traditional manual method:

Errors and Lack of Product Quality: Achieving high-quality and precise machining results is essential. A presetter ensures that tools are accurately set to the required dimensions, reducing the risk of measurement, transposition and inputting errors and improving product quality.
Machine Downtime: Manufacturers often need to switch between different tools for various machining operations. A presetter streamlines tool changeovers, minimizing production downtime and maximizing spindle uptime.
Tool Wear and Damage: A presetter helps ensure tools are set correctly, reducing the use of worn and damaged tools. Additionally, monitoring tool runout will help optimize cutter life and cutting capability preventing scrap or poor finishes.
Lack of Consistent Part Quality: Process consistency in tool setup is essential for maintaining uniform part quality. A presetter ensures that tools are consistently set to the same dimensions, reducing variability in the manufacturing process.
Lack of Efficiency and Productivity: Optimal tool setup based on preset measurements allows manufacturers to run machines at their highest efficiency levels, leading to increased productivity and reduced production costs. Additionally, the time required to set tools through the use of a presetter is less than other commonly used methods.
Material Waste: Accurate tool setup minimizes the risk of scrap or rework due to machining errors as a result of incorrect tool setups, reducing material waste and associated costs.
Lack of Skilled Workers: Machinists are often required to set up tools manually. Using a presetter can simplify tool setup and reduce the skill level required for this task, making it easier to train new personnel.
Tool Inventory Management: Manufacturers can better manage their tool inventory by tracking tool dimensions and wear more accurately with a presetter, optimizing tool replacement schedules.

Using a presetter enhances accuracy, saves time, ensures consistency, and improves overall machining efficiency. Both mills and lathes throughout the entire machine shop can benefit from the efficiencies gained by using a presetter.

Watch the video to find out more about how you can solve your challenges and benefit by using a presetter:

Tool Presetters Designed for Rock Solid Precision

Tool Setters Designed for Rock Solid Precision Look for presetters that combine the best of both worlds for thermal stability and optical precision. This combination provides the highest level of repeatability and reproducibility making presetters ideal for most tool measuring and inspecting applications. Elbo Controlli NIKKEN Tool presetters provide this needed precision and are an optimal solution.

Precision Spindle System in a Presetter

All Elbo Controlli NIKKEN precision spindle systems are fully interchangeable. The one-piece cartridge eliminates the need for adapters and the errors associated with their use.

Presetter Thermal Stability Coupled with High Precision

Presetters that utilize natural granite for the column and base ensure the best thermal stability.

- Granite Column Construction
  Mounted and supported by dual rail guides, the rugged design assures the same perpendicularity accuracy for tools of all sizes.
- Optical Scales
  Optical scales embedded within the granite base ensure the most accurate positioning feedback to the controller. (Currently available on E68 Series only)
- Axis Clamping
  An ergonomic pneumatic handle allows for movement and the axis brake to be engaged with one hand, freeing up the other hand to manipulate a toolholder.
- Vision System
  Elbo Controlli NIKKEN custom vision systems make measuring and inspection accurate and easy to visualize. Built with a dual lit system, variable LED arrangement and a CMOS sensor; brightness for optimal visualization is achieved while minimizing heat generation that can distort measuring accuracy.

Software Features

Presetters not only provide the ability to quickly measure tools, but also can be used to help increase productivity. Elbo Controlli NIKKEN software packages (except the E236 model) include an inspection mode where runout and cutting-edge surface inspection can easily be done. With over 35 years of experience specializing in the engineering and design of optical scales, Elbo Controlli NIKKEN Tool Presetters incorporate custom optical scales and vision systems that are geared for measuring and inspecting cutting tools. Ergonomic, simple yet powerful, you will get added productivity one toolholder at a time.

Presetter Software Features

Hear how Flying S Inc., manufacturer of aerospace and defense components for basically anything that flies, uses an Elbo Controlli Nikken presetter from Lyndex-Nikken. Peter Bowman, Manufacturing Engineer, at Flying S Inc. relies on the presetter not only for checking the tool lengths of tooling, but he found that for single point thread milling it is also extremely helpful in verifying that the cutting edges of small thread mills are proper and the diameters are right. He also verifies corner radius prior to putting it into the machine so they are getting the right surface profiles on aerospace parts. Watch the video to hear more from Peter:

TID Automatic Tool Identification System Enables Industry 4.0 Production

Presetter TID Industry 4_0

Tools that are simple to use and limit the possibility of operator errors are essential in the workplace and enable Industry 4.0 production. The TID Automatic Tool Identification System has an intuitive graphical interface which interacts and guides the operator during use, minimizing the possibility of errors. Tools are identified by TID through a unique code which is also associated to all tool offset data. After measuring the tool, the operator can select the correct machine tool for loading. The NC receives the tool offset data only when the tool is loaded in the machine thus avoiding transcription errors or changes to the tool offset table which do not reflect the actual situation. The tool identification system is a two-dimensional bar code matrix called the Data Matrix. TID is made more comprehensive with the ability to view the status of the tool inventory and the NC corrector table, making it an essential component for Industry 4.0 production.

TID Automatic Tool Identification System Functionality

TID (Automatic Tool Identification System) is a solution which allows Elbo Controlli NIKKEN presets to quickly identify tools and send tool offset data directly to the numerical control without interrupting any operation in progress.

Direct Connection Presetter to CNC Reduces Downtime
TID allows a two-way communication between the presetter and CNC. Measurements taken from the presetter can be sent directly to the CNC without downtime. TID can acquire tool data from the CNC offset table.
Safety and Reliability
TID allows operators to eliminate insertion errors, each tool is uniquely identified, thus guaranteeing the transfer of its data to the CNC machine.
No Additional Costs
TID is an advantageous solution that eliminates the additional costs associated in the purchase of RFID storage devices and the application of read/write hardware interfaced with the machine tool.
Full Customization
TID allows complete customization to manage different configurations according to the tool data required for the specific machine.

Managing Tool Inventory & Optimizing the Tool List Process

TP32 - Managing Tool Inventory

How important is it to manage your tool inventory? Usually, a manufacturing company has an excess of tools, spare parts, inserts, etc. - this is a result of a centralized control system. Proper control of your inventory leads to numerous advantages including:

Reduction of production costs
Optimization of inventory prevents unnecessary waste
Resources available shown in real time
Organization of the production cycle

Human errors are part and parcel of the working day, for example, forgetting to insert information or forgetting to update the inventory or just losing track of what tools are available. TP32 helps to manage tool inventory. In fact, you can interface it with all your systems in the workshop: machine tools, management systems, CAD/CAM, presetters, etc. All in one software. Easy. Flexible. Complete.

How important is it to optimize the tool list preparation process? This depends on how productive and dynamic you want to make your workshop. TP32 will help you during the management phase and by reducing preparation times.

TP32 is a point of interaction between tools and applications. TP32 easily handles everything from the management of inventory stock to the maintenance of distinct tool composition, from interfacing with automatic inventory to the management of sub-stock, from resource planning to full integration with the presetter, and from management of the tool supply to data exchange with ERP/CAD and offline simulation.

Watch the video on TP32 to learn more:

Simple & Modular TP32 Integrated Tool Management System

The TP32 Integrated Tool Management System provides a usability-oriented approach. It offers a complete view of tool-related problems within a company’s production cycle.

- - - Simple - Managing tools is no longer a problem with TP32. With an intuitive graphic interface, users are easily guided in each operation. This limits any possible room for error.
    - Modular - The modularity of TP32 allows you to integrate with any CNC machine, presetter, automatic warehouse, management system (ERP), or CAM software and simulator.
    - Multi-Seat - Structured to work with more than one workstation without additional costs.
    - ISO 13399 - Automatic creation of 3D tool libraries for CAM and/or simulation systems using ISO 13399 templates with real measurements derived from presetting.