STUDY ON TOOL PRE-SETTER

Introduction
The setting of tools in advance at a place away from the machine tool or offline,
in special holders is known as preset tools. A presetting device is used to preset axial
and radial positions of the tool tip on the tool holder. Once this is done, the tool holder is
ready to be mounted on the machine and produce a known dimension. Presetting
devices to various levels of sophistication are available like optical projector. Since the
generation of actual geometry is taken care of by the CNC part program, which is
essentially the coordinates through which the cutting tool tip moves, it is important to
know the actual dimensions of the tool when it is placed in the spindle. The relationship
of the tool with reference to the tool holding mechanism requires a special attention
during CNC machining process. The actual point to be programmed in a CNC part
program is the tip of the tool whereas the axes will be moving with respect to a known
point in the spindle, e.g. the centre of the spindle in case of machining centres. It
becomes therefore necessary to know precisely the deviation of the tool tip from the
gauge point on the spindle. Tool Length Offset allows the length of tools to be measured
and entered into the CNC control's tool table, so that the tool does not need to be
'touched off' on the part or on a gauge block to set the Z axis.

Fig. 1. Different offset for different tools

Advantages of Tool Presetter

1. Less machine down-time
2. Reduced scrap rates
3. More efficient processes
4. Higher process reliability
5. Better production quality
6. Overall increased productivity
Specifications of Tool Presetter

Make
Model
Spindle Taper
Measuring range X (diameter)
Measuring range Z (height)
Base
Movement on X & Z axes
Digital readout resolution
Dial indicator resolution
Weight

Preci-Techh
PT 3040
BT40
300 mm
400 mm
Granite base for high stability
Precision LM guideways with Linear Drive
Nut systems
1 micron
1 micron
80 kg

Constructional features of the Tool Presetter

Fig. 4. Schematic of the tool presetter

The following are the constructional features of the tool presetter (Refer Fig. 2)

1. Bed: The bed is made of granite. It is very rigid and does not allow for variation
in measurement due to change in temperature.
2. Column: On the bed, there is a stable steel fabricated measuring support
column with precision guided measuring slide. The measuring slide is equipped
to move along the longitudinal (Y axis) and transverse (X axis) axes with both
rapid and fine control.
3. Digital readout (DRO): The DRO can be used for setting the mode as desired
by the operator and it displays the X and Y co-ordinate values.
4. Adaptor sleeve: An adaptor sleeve is fixed on the granite bed for tool tapers
BT40. The tool which is to be measured can be mounted on the adaptor sleeve
with its taper pointing downwards.
5. Master: During each time the tool offset is measured, there is a master for
calibration to account for the error in reading X and Y values.
6. Dial gauge: The dial gauge is used for observing the contact of the caliper over
the surface to be measured. The contact can be ensured by a deflection in the
gauge and it can be brought to zero each time inorder to get the same contact
pressure everytime.
7. Push button: The push button is used for rapid movement of the measuring
slide along both longitudinal and lateral axes.
8. Thumbwheel: The fine adjustment along the longitudinal axis (Y axis) can be
done using the thumbwheel. If it is rotated in the right direction, the slide will
move downwards. If it is rotated in the left direction, the slide will move upwards.
9. Rotary knob: It is used for the fine adjustment of the slide along lateral axis (X
axis). If it is rotated clockwise, the slide will move towards right. If it is rotated
counter-clockwise, the slide will move towards left.

Basic Functions of Tool presetter

Axis selection

The digital readout is having 2 axis readouts with 2 display windows. The
required axis can be selected by pressing the positive touch key X or Y right to the
display.
Zero reset mode
This function is used to reset the origin to zero (i.e. define a point which would be
considered as a reference).
Entering or modifying or setting a value
This function is used to set any value for the absolute count. This directly
modifies the absolute count and accordingly new origin is defined.
Inch/mm conversion
This function is used to convert the DRO count from metric to imperial unit of
measurement and vice-versa. Using this function all the axes can be toggled between
either of the units.
Note: Individual axis cannot be toggled between either of the units.
Radius/diameter conversion mode
This function is used to convert the DRO count from radius to diameter mode of
measurement and vice-versa. Using this function individual axis or all the axes can be
toggled between either of the measurement modes.
Increment/absolute conversion mode
This function is used to toggle the DRO count from incremental to absolute origin
of measurement and vice-versa. Using this function individual axis or all the axes can
be toggled between either of incremental or absolute origin.
Procedure for determining the tool offset
The step by step working procedure is given as follows.
1. Switch on the DRO. Ensure that the display is working when the slide is moving
along both X and Y axes. The movement can be controlled by the push button.
2. Mount the master tool on the adaptor with its taper pointing downwards. Adjust
the slide in X and Y directions by using push button and bring the caliper to touch
on the top face of the adaptor (this can be ensured by observing a small
deflection on the dial gauge). Use the thumbwheel for fine adjustment along Y

axis to bring the pointer in the dial gauge to zero. Now set the Y value in the DRO
to zero.
(In this condition, the caliper will be touching the adaptor with the dial gauge
reading as zero and the Y value in the DRO as zero)
3. By using the push button and adjusting the slide, adjust the caliper to touch at the
top surface of the master piece (this can be ensured by observing a small
deflection on the dial gauge). Use the thumbwheel for fine adjustment along Y
axis to bring the pointer in the dial gauge to zero. The DRO reading will show the
Y value of the master piece offset. The typical value as shown in the below figure
is 100.065.
(In this condition, the caliper will be touching the top surface of master piece with
the dial gauge reading at zero and the Y value in the DRO as the master piece
offset)
4. Take the master piece out and mount the tool (whose offset value has to be
determined) on the adaptor. Adjust the slide in X and Y directions by using push
button and bring the caliper to touch on the top face of the adaptor (this can be
ensured by observing a small deflection on the dial gauge). Use the thumbwheel
for fine adjustment along Y axis to bring the pointer in the dial gauge to zero.
Now set the Y value in the DRO to zero. Refer Fig. 5.
(In this condition, the caliper will be touching the adaptor with the dial gauge
reading as zero and the Y value in the DRO as zero)
5. By using the push button and adjusting the slide, adjust the caliper to touch at the
tip of the insert of the tool (this can be ensured by observing a small deflection on
the dial gauge). Use the thumbwheel for fine adjustment along Y axis to bring the
pointer in the dial gauge to zero. The DRO reading will show the Y value of the
tool offset. The typical value as shown in the below figure is 100.425.
(At this condition, the caliper will be touching the top surface of master piece with
the dial gauge reading at zero and the Y value in the DRO is the tool offset)
6. Note down the tool offset value obtained from the DRO. This value has to be

entered into the machine program in the respective tool offset register. While
machining, the program automatically catches this value for compensating the
tool length during positioning.