Simple to retrofit: Easy Tool-ID from Balluff

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2017-04-25 11:45:00

Economical entry-level solution with simple entry into automatic tool management

Easy Tool-ID offers you a helpful solution to get started in automated tool management. Using simple installation and configuration, you can use it to easily set up almost any machine tool that has a USB interface (keyboard expansion). Manual entry is eliminated, minimizing the risk of incorrect data. Instead, the data is written on the tool by the pre-setter via RFID technology ( the Requirement for the system). Then transmitted to the machine tool using the Easy Tool-ID system. In addition, the plug-and-work solution substantially reduces your setup times. Easy Tool-ID consists of a tool stand with integrated read/write head, a processor unit, a microcontroller and the power supply.

Tool identification using Balluff Industrial RFID increases production efficiency, as it makes incorrect tool allocation or missing tools a thing of the past. This enables optimizing the service time utilization of the tools. In addition, scrap and rework due to excessive use of tools are virtually eliminated. With Easy Tool-ID Balluff now offers an economical entry into tool management. It is simple to retrofit and stands out with easy installation and configuration.

All this is required is a USB port (keyboard expander) on the machine tool and a pre-setter. The data are written via RFID technology from the pre-setter to the tool and then passed on through the Easy Tool-ID system to the machine tool. Manual entry is eliminated. Setup times and the risk of incorrect entries are significantly reduced. The system consists of a tool stand with integrated read/write head, a processor unit, a microcontroller and the power supply.

The solution's handling and functional principle could not be easier: At the tool pre-setter, each tool is measured and its data, such as diameter and radius, are written on the data carrier on the tool shank. The user simply brings the tool to the machine, places it in the tool holder and presses a key. The system then emulates the key input and automatically reads the data with the Balluff Tool-ID through the keyboard interface to the machine controller. Manual, error-prone entry is thus eliminated. This means that even existing machines can be modernized and upgraded with a cost-effective tool ID solution.

The features:

• Plug-and-work solution: A USB connection is all that is needed.
• Easily configurable and adaptable to the input screens of the machine tool.
• Simple read-in of data via electronic data transfer.
• Data can be collected at any time correctly and directly via the tool.

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