I use it for tracking, type in a tool number and it lists all the programs that the tool is used in.

Unfortunately not..................

I have a tool database created by Microsoft Access. Some computer guru created it for me several years ago. It's a bit of work to set up,but once it's there all you have to do is maintain it when new tools are introduced.

Try telling that to management.....................

thanks for the replies guys, will pass this info to the higher ups.

like mkd said, keep it simple

There is an overhead shower so no chips on the spindle housing. Shouldn't the normal air blast be sufficient to remove chips?

These are high quantity production parts (200 per run), so we can't be cleaning the spindle for every part. Also it seems to be mostly one bore size that jumps. There is an air blast from the spindle at every tool change so I'm hoping that the shavings are blown away. These parts are machined on a HMC. Do you think that the material could be a problem (hard spots)?

I'm boring 5 different hole diameters in a ductile iron casting (rough and finish) from cored holes. Hole sizes vary from 1.50" to 3.75". Once in a while about 1 in 100 parts 1 or 2 bores jump in size up to .005" from the previous part. Without any adjustment the next parts are back to proper diameters. I don't have an explanation for this problem and these parts cost about $500 each. Does anyone else experience this? Thanks Len

I also retract to a couple of inches from the farthest fixture point, much safer than leaving it up to the operator.

Using Seco Jabro and Sandvik Plura here, milling cast and ductile iron.