The GTC also defines a format for “packaging” cutting tool data so that software applications can locate the data at the pre-designated places. To complement this standard, which dictates coding conventions for defining, naming and dimensioning cutters and related components, these companies are also working on a Generic Tool Catalog (GTC), which standardizes how tooling items are classified in a logical, hierarchical fashion. Chief among these standards is ISO 13399 (Cutting Tool Data Representation and Exchange). This is one big reason why cutting tool manufacturers and application developers are formulating standards that specify a common format for computer-usable cutting tool data. This is the promise of Big Data and Big Data Analytics.Īll of these developments depend on the ability to share cutting tool information digitally.
This massive volume of cutting-tool-related information can be analyzed to discern trends and patterns that can lead to more effective advice on tool selection and machining parameters. It will be possible for the user’s actual results to be transmitted to a generalized database maintained remotely on shared computing resources (a cloud), where these results can be combined with similar results from many other users. The intent is to guarantee that selecting and applying cutting tool information will lead to a machining process optimized for any machine tool in the user’s facility. Better, faster decisions result in reduced setup time, more productive metal removal rates, better utilization of manufacturing assets and lower overall costs.Īdvanced systems will enable cutting tool information to be accessed from online databases that include the latest (literally, up-to-the-minute) process knowledge from cutting tool manufacturers. It eliminates most or all of the manual calculations and assumptions.
This makes it not only faster, but also more accurate and effective. Today, of course, the tool selection process can be highly automated using digital data. Were the selected components still available from the vendor? (The catalogs might be out of date.) Were some of these components currently stocked in the tool crib? Was this assembly already in the tool magazine of the CNC machine? If so, were the cutting edges fresh or close to needing replacement? What speed and feed values should the programmer enter in the CAM system? Besides being time-consuming and cumbersome, this manual process involved a lot of guesswork.
Often, several catalogs had to be consulted-one or two to find the recommended insert, others to find cutter bodies and toolholders-to complete a usable tool assembly. Not long ago, process planners and CNC programmers had to use paper-and-ink catalogs from cutting tool manufacturers to find and specify cutting tool components.
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