Blum Gives MACH Debut to New Innovations

19 January 2012

As the leading suppliers of innovative, high-quality measuring and testing technology, Blum Novotest will be giving a multitude of new innovations their MACH debut on Stand 5250 at the UK's showcase event taking place from 16-20th April at the Birmingham NEC. Demonstrating its capabilities for improving productivity, tool life and component accuracy, Blum will be showing a range of tool setting probes as well as workpiece inspection probes.

For the elimination of broken cutting tools and the resultant damage or scrapping of components, Blum will be showcasing its exciting new TMAC tool monitoring solution. The ingenious new Tool Monitor Adaptive Control (TMAC) system protects your CNC machine while providing valuable information regarding the cutting process.

The TMAC is an addition to the Blum product portfolio that has been developed by Caron Engineering, a technical partner of Blum Novotest. The system reduces the high cost of replacement tools, lost production and rejected parts by effectively measuring tool wear in real time. It operates on the principle that the horsepower required to cut a part increases as the condition of the cutting edges of the tool deteriorates.

Already endorsed in the US by major manufacturers such as Pratt & Witney, Smith & Wesson, John Deere, Smiths Aerospace, Volvo Aerospace, Arvin Meritor, MTU Aero Engines and Stryker Howmedica, the TMAC system comprises of a main controller, horsepower transducer, vibration sensor and the TMS display software – all of which can be simply integrated into any CNC machine tool and Windows based PC. The software conveniently enables the machine to be monitored from the shop floor or remotely from the office.

TMAC can work in conjunction with the Blum laser control system where tool breakage detection and tool wear monitoring is done with TMAC, whilst tool length and radius measurement, compensation of thermal effects or the deviations because of high spindle speeds can be done with the laser. Customers using TMAC and laser systems as a complement to each other can have the complete production (cutting) process under control.

To demonstrate how the TMAC can work in conjunction with the Blum LaserControl, Blum will have its market leading tool setting system on show at MACH 2012. Capable of working on multi-functional Mill/Turn machine tools, the LaserControl NT-H 3D from the German metrology manufacturer will highlight its tool setting advantages at the event.

The LaserControl NT-H 3D is an adaptation of the already established Blum LaserControl non-contact tool setting technology, which will also be on show at MACH. The LaserControl NT-H 3D provides non-contact measurement of rotating tools as well as the mechanical measurement of non-rotating tools in five approach directions.

With the increasing use of mill/turn centres, Blum NovoTest has developed the LaserControl NT-H 3D to cater for the demands of these machine types. Traditionally, turning tools are measured with a mechanical probe and milling tools with a laser, the NT-H 3D eliminates the need for both these types - significantly improving setting times.

The LaserControl NT-H 3D can set the radius & tool length for both turning and milling tools and this reduces set-ups and reduces machine downtime. Measuring both sets of tools in one system, the NT-H3D can eliminate the need for two separate systems. Using one complete system, the LaserControl NT-H3D offers exceptional accuracy for all measuring requirements – ideal for machines where space is limited.

The LaserControl NT-H3D will be complemented by the showing of the established LaserControl NT. The LaserControl NT solves the signal interference problems caused by coolant and swarf affecting the optical measuring system in the machine work envelope by using patented ‘out of the beam’ technology that enables the new system to significantly reduce tool setting times.

Focusing upon its renowned Z-Series of probes, Blum will be exhibiting the renowned Z-Nano probing system. The accomplished Z-Nano is an extremely compact tool measuring system that can be used on CNC machining centres to conduct automatic tool length measurement and breakage detection. It can also undertake temperature compensation in one machine axis.

The new Z-Nano works with a ball guideway to reduce measuring forces. The advantage is that now even smaller tools starting from 0.1mm diameter can be measured, depending on tool geometry and material. Furthermore, in its standard version the probe offers an impressively high repeatability of 0.5 µm 2σ. For special applications, it is also available with a ‘High Precision’ design with a guaranteed repeatability of 0.2 µm 2σ.

Complementing the Z-Nano will be the Z-Pico probe, an extremely compact tool length setting and breakage control system for machine tools. The tiny Z-Pico can carry out machine compensation of the smallest tools in one machine axis. With a total height of only 55mm and a total width of just 28mm2 the Z-Pico is one of the smallest tool setters on the market, making it ideal for monitoring the smallest of tools like micro drills, small cutters and engraving tools.