Automatic tool change function and programming related introduction of machining center:

1. Tool change process

    (1) Load tool: load the tool into the tool magazine

    Optional knife holder installation method. The tool is placed in any tool holder, and the tool holder number where the tool is located must be noted.

    The fixed knife holder is used to install the knife. The tool is placed in the set tool holder.

    (2) Select knife

    The operation of selecting the specified tool from the tool magazine.

    1) Order tool selection: The tool selection method requires that the tools be placed in the tool holder according to the order of the process (ie, the order in which the tools are used). When using, take them one by one according to the order of tool placement, and put them back in the original tool holder after use.

    2) Choose knife at will:

    ① Tool holder code selection: code each tool holder of the tool magazine, put the tools corresponding to the tool holder code into the designated tool holder one by one, and use the address T to indicate the tool holder code of the tool during programming.

    ②Computer memory selection knife

    The tool number and the tool storage location or tool seat number are correspondingly stored in the computer's memory or the programmable controller's memory. When the tool storage address changes, the computer memory also changes. The tool magazine is equipped with a position detection device, and the tool can be taken out at will and sent back at will.

    (3) Tool change

    1) The tool on the spindle and the tool to be changed in the tool magazine are optional tool holders.

    Tool magazine → select tool → go to tool change position → manipulator remove tool → load spindle, and at the same time load the tool removed from the spindle into the tool holder to be changed.

    2) The tool on the spindle is placed in a fixed tool holder, and the tool to be changed is an optional tool holder or a fixed tool holder.

    The tool selection process is the same as above. When the tool is removed from the spindle during tool change and sent back to the tool magazine, the tool magazine should be rotated to the position of receiving the spindle tool in advance.

    3) The tool on the spindle is an optional tool holder, and the tool to be changed is a fixed tool holder.

    The tool selection is the same as above, and the tool removed from the spindle is sent to the nearest empty tool position.

2. Compilation of automatic tool change program

    (1) Tool change action (command): tool selection (T××); tool change (M06)

    (2) Tool selection and tool change are usually performed separately.

    (3) To improve the utilization rate of the machine tool, the tool selection action coincides with the machine tool processing action.

    (4) The tool change command M06 must be before the block for cutting with a new tool, and the next tool selection command T always follows this tool change command.

    (5) Tool change point: Most machining centers specify the machine tool Z axis zero point (Z0), and it is required to use the preparation function command (G28) to make the spindle automatically return to the Z0 point before tool change.

    (6) Tool change process: After receiving the T×× command, the tool will be automatically selected and the selected tool will be in the tool change position. After receiving the M06 command, the manipulator will act, on the one hand, the tool on the spindle will be removed and sent back to the tool magazine On the other hand, the tool at the tool change position is taken out and installed on the spindle to realize the tool change.

    (7) Programming method of tool change program

    1) The spindle returns to the reference point and the tool magazine selection is performed at the same time. After the tool is selected, the tool is changed.

…

N02 G28 Z0 T02 Z axis return to zero, select tool T02;

 

N03 M06 Replace with T02 tool

 

…

 

Disadvantage: When the tool selection time is greater than the zero return time, the machine needs to be occupied for tool selection.

 

2) Select the tool before returning to zero on the Z axis

 

 

…

N10 G01 X_ Y_ Z_ F_ T02 Linear interpolation, select tool T02

 

N11 G28 Z0 M06 Z axis return to zero, change T02 tool

…

 

N20 G01 Z_ F_ T03 Linear interpolation, select tool T03

 

N30 G02 X_ Y_ I_ J_ F_ Circular interpolation

 

3) Some machining centers (TH5632) tool change procedures are slightly different from the above

 

…

 

N10 G01 X_ Y_ Z_ F_ T02 Linear interpolation, select tool T02

 

…

N30 G28 Z0 T03 M06 Z-axis return to zero, change to tool T02, choose tool T03

 

N40 G00 Z1

 

N50 G02 X_ Y_ I_ J_ F_ Circular interpolation

 

…

 

Note: For horizontal machining center, G28 Z0 in the above program should be G28 Y0.