Standard tools ground faster and more reliably

CNC tool grinding software for standard cutting tools has been extended to ensure even greater productivity together with increased process reliability.

HELITRONIC ToolStudio, the Helitronic Software from Walter, now ensures even greater productivity together with increased process reliability.

Walter Maschinenbau has not been resting on its laurels when it comes to upgrading its HELITRONIC ToolStudio grinding software.

The company has focused on process reliability and increased productivity.

The ToolWizard, a software configuration assistant, has been extended so that standard tools can now be created even more quickly using minimal input and produced more reliably than before.

For example the operator can now define standard grinding wheel packs by himself.

The job of the ToolWizard is then to ensure that correct grinding wheels from the standard wheel pack are used when a new workpiece is created.

* Collision-free and reliable - the new version of HELITRONIC ToolStudio also includes automatic detection of possible collisions every time before the machine starts grinding.

Collision detection does not only take the complete machine model into account, it also includes grinding wheels and the workpiece.

In addition, HELITRONIC ToolStudio takes care of data from measuring devices inside the machine obtained before grinding, such as from the probe.

If a collision is detected - possibly due to a programming error by the operator - the machine will not even start.

Serious failures of this kind are thus prevented and the risk of machine damage is minimized.

The result: an extraordinary improvement in process reliability.

* Reduced grinding time - the HELITRONIC ToolStudio version puts an end to unproductive movements of the grinding wheel.

How this has been achieved: by optimising the module that reduces unnecessary idle travel.

It now automatically detects movements of the grinding wheel when it is not in contact with the tool - for example when the workpiece swivels from one spindle to the other - and shortens them.

This results in a reduction of up to 30% in grinding time.

Productivity accordingly rises considerably.

A practical example will show what we mean: * The job - to grind a four-flute milling cutter, 25mm in diameter with a cutting length of 45mm.

* In use - HELITRONIC ToolStudio and the previous software.

* Result - HELITRONIC ToolStudio grinds the milling cutter in seven minutes.

The old software takes 8.5 minutes to do this.

In comparison, therefore, HELITRONIC ToolStudio shortens the grinding time by about 18%.

* A comprehensive database - in addition we have extended the geometry database of HELITRONIC ToolStudio.

Using only a few input parameters such as diameter, number of teeth and shape of end face, the database automatically calculates the remaining parameters.

In addition, it suggests a suitable standard set of grinding wheels.

This reduces the input requirement to a minimum.

Even relatively inexperienced operators can grind standard tools using this software.

The IDN-Commander finally is a powerful aid when it comes to the administration of your existing database.

In addition to copying, retrieving and deleting tool data records it is now possible to automatically generate 3D miniature views of all the tools being stored in the database.

If then a certain tool is to be loaded, the operator has an immediate graphical overview of all the tools which eliminates tedious searching.

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