Industrial Automation Magazine India

Simple to retrofit: Easy Tool-ID from Balluff

Published on : Tuesday 30-11--0001

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 optimising the service time utilisation 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 presetter. The data are written via RFID technology from the presetter 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 presetter, 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 modernised and upgraded with a cost-effective tool ID solution.

Contact:

Balluff India, Mumbai.

Tel: 022-25568097.

Email: [email protected]