Tool Lifetime

Definition

Ability to change the tool during a machining cycle! The change can be manual or automatic (tool changer). This command is very useful when machining operations are very long: machining hard materials, vertical turning…

▶️ You can watch a video at the bottom of page: click here

Access to the command

The access is done in the Machining Tree only.

There are 2 ways.

Settings

Action:
- Manual: retract of tool, stop machine, then manual change of tool or insert, re-start of machining
- Sister tool: retract of tool, automatic change of tool, re-start of machining
Define the Tool duration used for calculation
The tolerance enables to promote the leadout position according to existing approach/return points

Leadout can be Direct, with Arc, with Arc+Length
Settings for Approach and Return points

Table of Tools: right-click in the background to accede to the options

Add tools automatically or manually
Number the tools

Display

Once validated, some icons are displayed to inform about the change of tool:

in the machining tree, in the strategy icon	in the toolpath	for MTE users, in the Gantt diagram

Other Rules applied in MTE

Automatic Mounting is done according to the creation of sister tools
Each tool duplicated is independent and can have a different holder, his own settings, etc.
In Turning, tools are duplicated on the same turret
flash tools are managed!

▶️ You can watch a video on Tool Life Management: