Acu-Rite CNC 3500i user manual Fixture Offsets Tool menu, Activate Tool Life Management

4.2 Tool Data

Fixture Offsets - Tool menu

In the Tool menu bar, the Fixture Offset display screen is provided to allow data entry in the display fields to set fixture offsets.

Touch the Fixture Offsets button to open the offsets menu.

With the display screen open, data can now be entered, or edited by changing existing information.

Press the UP or DOWN arrow keys to select a offset line number (the entire row is highlighted).

To add, or change information, select the column, X, Y, or Z where the data is to be entered using the RIGHT or LEFT arrow keys.

Press the Enter key to activate the field in the required column.

Use the numeric keys to enter the required data. Use the Back Space or Clear button to delete previously entered data.

Press the Enter button to save the data entered in the field.

Tool Life Management

Tool Life Management is a feature that tracks the lifetime use of a tool while the spindle is running and the system is in feed mode. Based on parameters set by the user, it verifies if a tool is valid prior to mounting and disables a tool once it has worn beyond its useful life. Tool Life Management parameters are accessed in the Tool Table.

When a program starts running, the active tool must have its Tool Life Management activated so that any machining done with it can be tracked. If a replacement tool is specified in the (RT) column, it should also have Tool Life Management active.

Activate Tool Life Management

In the Tool Table, select the tool to be managed.

Enter the maximum tool life in minutes in the “Time1” column.

Enter the maximum in use tool life in minutes in the “Time2” column.

If a replacement tool has been specified in the “RT” column, enter in the “Time1”, and “Time2” for the replacement tool also.

When a tool’s usage limits have been exceeded, the tool is locked. If a replacement tool (“RT”) has not been specified, “Time1” or “Time2” will cause the program to stop. An error message will appear.

84 4 Tool Management