Tool Matrix setup??

[SydwazShawn]

What do you guys think would be the best strategy for setting up a 323 tool matrix? I am in the process of starting to build a tool library for our new machine and wanted some incite.

 

Some questions I have are like, should I start with tool pod one, or start with 323(front to back, or back to front)? Or how should I number my tools? Do you make them in groups so there numbers match a specific tool type?

 

I think we are allowed 1000 tool call outs. The biggest tool carousel we have is only 40 tools, so I am a little new to having so many tools @ my disposal!

[cunder]

I like to groups tools in different ways.

Some buy screw size.

Tap drill, tap, clearance drill by sizes.

Some by milling type.

All rough milling tools, then finishing. I also like numbering backwards.

That way when bringing new tools into operations, setting sequentially starts at #1 and goes up from there

[Dave Ball]

I prefer to group tools by type but beware that not all pockets are created equal...some are designed for larger diameter tools and the vast majority wont hold anything beyond 4" diameter, so if you have large tools they will have to go into the pots designed for them or you may have to leave adjacent pots empty and thats a waste. Just food for thought.

[Joe788]

Do you already know what parts you're going to put in the cell, and how often those jobs are going to repeat?

[Chris Rizzo]

I've been hosed trying to live with "rules", like drills and taps are 50-100, roughers 1-10, etc. Invariably I will run out of spots living within the rules. I just randomize from the start, but try to keep individual drills and taps next to each other. That's just how I've done it and found thigs, I'm sure there are some good ways out there.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

quote:

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Invariably I will run out of spots living within the rules.

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+1

 

Just start with the first job, go from there. T1, T2, T3, etc... and just keep adding. That way when you have a drill/tap/threadmill combo, they'll always be close by each other. NEVER re-use a tool number. T1 is ALWAYS this, T120 is ALWAYS that, etc...

 

EVERY time I've tried to "organize" a magazine, it ALWAYS WITHOUT EXCEPTION becomes a cluster, and so rigid it becomes limiting.

 

JM2C

 

Shouldnt' Makino be helping you with this stuff? Lotta help they are.

[SydwazShawn]

quote:

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Do you already know what parts you're going to put in the cell, and how often those jobs are going to repeat?

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We only have a few, but mostly they are all alum. I know what the bulk of the tools will be, just wasnt sure if it was benificial to organize them.

 

quote:

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Shouldnt' Makino be helping you with this stuff? Lotta help they are.

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Yes they should, and yes they are! I just wanted to make sure you were up on everything since Makino knows what they are doing.

 

Ok that was a little harsh!

 

Thanks for all the input, I just wanted second opinions.

[Joe788]

Shawn, as long as you know what parts are going on there to start with, try to standardize the tools for those jobs. Don't worry about what order they are in, just make sure you keep good documentation of every job that each tool is used for.

 

If you've got 20 jobs and all of them use a 1/4 endmill, but they were programmed by different people and run on different machines over the last 8 years, you might run into some situations where certain clearances on certain holders won't work on other jobs that seem to use the same tool. You'll come out way ahead in the end by modifying the existing jobs as you move them to the new machine. I also like to keep the tool projection on ALL of the tools as long as possible (without seriously degrading performance). I don't know how many times I've started programming a new job, and realized one of the dedicated tools is .050 too short to reach where it needs to go.

 

With a 323 tool magazine, I'd probably dedicate about 250 of the tools as absolutely rigid, NEVER moved, under any circumstances, EVER. Then use the remaining 73 pots for special tools on jobs that only repeat once a year, or maybe never.

[SydwazShawn]

Joe, thanks for the input. This will be a new machine with all new tooling. It will be HSK so no other machine in the shop will be able to use my tools(Cat 40).

 

I also will be the only one programming it. So on that note I wanted to do everything perfect from the begining, if that was possible.

 

Thx,S.B.

[MIL-TFP-41]

I prefer to load them up by the job. Problem I ran into was having 4 backup tools for tool 1. Other jobs used that same tool, but would run more parts. What I found was easiest for me was to use 1 of the racks for job A, another for job B, 2 more for job C, ect.

 

Having multiple backup tools will throw any organization system out the door...That is why I went with what I did.

[Bruce Caulley]

quote:

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Just start with the first job, go from there. T1, T2, T3, etc... and just keep adding. That way when you have a drill/tap/threadmill combo, they'll always be close by each other. NEVER re-use a tool number. T1 is ALWAYS this, T120 is ALWAYS that, etc...

 

EVERY time I've tried to "organize" a magazine, it ALWAYS WITHOUT EXCEPTION becomes a cluster, and so rigid it becomes limiting.

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+10000000000000

 

Bruce