[al010964]

Hi All,

Am thinking about a better system than labels to number my tool holders, and was thinking of engraving them all. Just wondering if this will affect the run out. Thought i would ask if anyone has done it before i experiment!

Admittedly i never tested the run out with the labels on.... and presume it would be near the same effect?

Cheers,
Adrian

[gunrunnerx]

Engrave the number on all sides? That should negate any change made I woukd think.

[al010964]

Engrave the number on all sides? That should negate any change made I woukd think.

That was the logic my brain was missing...... doooh !

Thanks for the replys.

Cheers,
.adrian

[Jim Dawson]

I can't imagine affixing a label to the nut would affect runout, nor should light engraving. I would just use a Sharpie pen to mark them, that way it's easy to change the marks later if needed.

[MichaelHenry]

I use a paint stick - the marking last longer than a Sharpie and it is still easy to remove should you need to change the tool number somewhere down the road. Previously I've used a Brother P-Touch stick on label and those have lasted surprisingly well in a mist coolant environmemt.

[RussMachine]

Why would you engrave numbers on your toolholders?
Is a collet holder ALWAYS going to be #1 ?
What if you need a solid endmill holder as tool #1 on a different program?
I wouldn't do it.
Different programs have different tool call-outs.
Seems strange to engrave numbers on them.

[eltejano]

Why would you engrave numbers on your toolholders?
Is a collet holder ALWAYS going to be #1 ?
What if you need a solid endmill holder as tool #1 on a different program?
I wouldn't do it.
Different programs have different tool call-outs.
Seems strange to engrave numbers on them.

I use Aspire, HSM works, Fusion 360 and I number my tools the same in all of them. Especially tools 1-20, they never change. If anything, the only tools I have changed are drill bits that I dont use often. I could not imagine numbering tools differently and having to change offsets any time I change programs. Are there CAM programs that do not let you designate your own tool numbers?

[RussMachine]

For a guy like me, with only 10 toolholders and 1 tap holder, engraving numbers on them would be pointless.
I'm constantly swapping tools out.

[SomeWhatLost]

For a guy like me, with only 10 toolholders and 1 tap holder, engraving numbers on them would be pointless.
I'm constantly swapping tools out.

well, you just need to get more tool holders then!
yes its ungodly expensive (they really do add up...)
but it is oh so convenient having tool 21 always be tool 21...

[popspipes]

I have 60 plus holders and have been thinking about this for quite awhile, I have 2 that are engraved, tool #1 and tool #2 , those remain the same #1 is my indicator for setting Z height, and #2 is a center drill, neither are in a collet holder.
I am thinking about a plastic/aluminum sleeve, engrave the sleeve, those could be changed if necessary.
I too have tried magic marker, paint etc, nothing stays on over time.

[C*H*U*D]

Why would you engrave numbers on your toolholders?
Is a collet holder ALWAYS going to be #1 ?
What if you need a solid endmill holder as tool #1 on a different program?
I wouldn't do it.
Different programs have different tool call-outs.
Seems strange to engrave numbers on them.

I've seen many people do this, and I also wonder what the value is.

I don't have a tool changer at home for my 770, but I do at work for our VMC (20 tool station). I have a lot of tools in my tool library, but their numbers are arbitrary. The only numbers I'm concerned with are the numbers on the tool changer.

For example, when I'm setting up a job, and I need to pull tool #30 from my tool crib, where would I put it? Wherever I have an open spot in the changer that's where, and it's number gets changed in CAM.

When I'm at home, I have a tray that holds the tools that I'm currently using. I could see it being handy if they were numbered, but not really critical since I load the tray in the order they are used.

I would never be able to afford a holder for every tool I have. If there is a tool that I use often enough to have it's own dedicated holder, than it's a tool I know well enough to not need a number on it.

[gunrunnerx]

My tools are all used as the same numbers. Each part has a setup sheet with tools, fixture etc. granted not everyone can or does do it this way. But it works.

Heres one of Steve's videos on how he dis his.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HYzrVOxYCmQ

[al010964]

I have about 20 or so tools which are my pretty stock goto tools and never seem to change and then i have another 5 or so collets holders which i use for randoms.

Maybe my work flow is different from the norm, but can't see why you wouldn't make them permanent, as say tool #1 is a quater end ruffer, this is what i have loaded in sprutcam tool table so every program knows this is tool #1, and i wouldn't suddenly start using tool #1 as a .5 ruffer as it would give me a whole lot of grief.... with my other programs.

But i know any call for a tool >60 is a special and needs to be manually setup.

... am i missing something?

Cheers,
.adrian

[gunrunnerx]

I do it for the same reason Adrian. I dont want to have to worry about all my other programs. Tool 1 stays tool 1. When I create my CAM, I make sure to use the tools I have.

[mountaindew]

Side track the thread with a different method.

I use simple blue masking tape folded over with slit cut. marked with tool # and notes. When I setup a job I look at tool table on screen and arrange the required tools along the bottom row left to right and take labels off. Check program and offsets whatever. Cycle start and from left to right at bottom row change tools easy peasy fast and no need to look at numbers.

Attachment 356184

New un proven programs, I tend start with a small drill operation if not a fake one to rapid tool to the correct point and stop 0.1 above part Gives you time to hit red button before you customize your mill and fixtures with new features.

Added note: This also works well when changing offsets g54-g59x in programs first little drill bit tool runs out and down to 0.1 above the work verifying you are in the right area and offset. Keeps Mr bozo from visiting as often.

[SomeWhatLost]

I wonder if you could just print a 3d sleeve with a tool number on/in it? that would be fast and simple...
I doubt my old 3d printer could get close enough tolerance though
still, could be a fun quick/cheap thing to try...

alternately, I wonder how well tormach's spring loaded draggy engraving/scratchy thingy would work... that goes really fast...

[Steve Seebold]

You would need a butt load of tool holders to have them engraved like that.

I have never used the tool library. I just use the offset page and it has never let me down.

[gunrunnerx]

Steve,
What are uou usung for CAM work? You have to have the tool in tge library to properly generate your GCode, yes? Or are you only manually coding?

[Steve Seebold]

Steve,
What are uou usung for CAM work? You have to have the tool in tge library to properly generate your GCode, yes? Or are you only manually coding?

No I don't have to have tools in the library to generate GCode.

I use GibbsCam to both draw and generate GCode.

I'm still using the Mach III operating system. I say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Mach III has worked for me for almost 6 years, so I see no reason to change now.

[MFchief]

Everyone's circumstances are different, so what works for one will make no sense to another.

In my case, I don't have an automatic tool changer, so there isn't any reason to want to change a tool number from what is marked on it. I use Fusion 360 for CAD/CAM and all my TTS tools are in my fusion library with the same tool numbers as in Pathpilot and importantly all the tool lengths are in fusion. This helps when programming as it can give collision warnings. I don't have to remember to change any tool numbers since they are always the same in all my software. Anytime you can eliminate a chance for human error, it's a good thing. Of course, I don't have an infinite number of tool holders, and some tools, such as seldom used drill bits, don't live in my tool library and get programmed one-off when needed.

But again, what works for me might make little sense to someone else with a different setup and different software.

Terry