Overview

Task

The external tool management system (WZV) is a database that contains the relevant information about geometry, dynamic data, tool life etc. for each tool in a specific data record.

Before a mechanical tool change, this data record is supplied by the tool management system at the request of the CNC.

Characteristics

External means that the database is integrated outside of the CNC kernel, e.g. in the PLC. The user can manage tool data records via a graphical user interface.

Data transfer takes place between the CNC and the PLC if tool data is required in the CNC or if tool life data or changes to tool parameters need to be supplied.

Communication between the CNC and the PLC takes place in the CNC asynchronous task.

In particular, complete tool data including additional tool parameters are transferred to the CNC (PLC->CNC).

Conversely, every time new tool data is requested, the additional tool parameters and other information about the last active tool are returned to the PLC. These additional tool parameters can be used to transfer data from the NC program to the external tool management system and save them there (CNC->PLC).

Parameterisation

The presence and use of an external tool management system must be communicated to the CNC via channel parameter P-CHAN-00016.

Other properties related to communication with the tool management system can be set by additional parameters (see Section Parameters).

Programming

By default, tool data is requested in the NC program using NC commands T or D (T word, D word).

Other NC commands are also provided e.g. #TOOL PREP or #TOOL DATA to permit extended communication with the tool management system.