Posted by Do you know that one of the most common causes of industrial waste. As well as accidents is that employees just do not know where the tools are supposed to be placed and as a result. They just leave things pell-mell! In the modern age of manufacturing where high degree of precision is the name of the game, especially in advanced engineering facilities like CNC installations, it is very important to have everything in the right place and this is particularly important for tools. A tool marker is the most obvious way to ensure that every tool goes exactly where it is supposed to be.
It can come in many forms It can be something as simple as a board which has outlines of manual tools which marks the exact place it should go in and thus any out of place or missing tool is straight away obvious. Then there are the modern high tech CNC tool storage solutions. Sometimes also known as a tool management system, this can be an advanced technology integrated into CNC facilities to automate the tool identification process.
Unlike basic shape outlines, much more advanced underlying tech is used, for example barcodes, QR Codes, and even RFID tags, to uniquely identify each tool in the machine’s tool library. The system is also able to talk to the CNC control system, allowing real-time tool recognition, monitoring, and tracking.
Reasons why you need a Tool Marker:
If you are setting up a new CNC manufacturing facility, there are number of reasons you need to get a marker system in your new setup. Above anything else, such a system allows you to keep track of all the tools. It can be used to monitor a tool’s usage patterns. This prevents lost or misplaced tools and is especially important when tools are proprietary and cost a lot to purchase or replace. The tool marker ensures a well-organized tool library by assigning a unique identifier to each tool. This systematic approach eliminates the need for manual tool sorting, reduces human errors, and streamlines tool changeovers.
With accurate tool identification, operators can easily locate and load the correct tools, saving valuable production time. Many people may find tool markers to a frivolous expense but this is far from true. In some cases, the initial investment in a system including both the technology. And human aspects may seem substantial, the long-term benefits significantly outweigh the costs.
By reducing tooling errors, optimizing tool usage, and minimizing downtime. Even the simplest tool marking system leads to substantial cost savings in the long run. What are a few extra thousand dollars when you are setting up a million dollars worth CNC facility. CNC tool storage solutions pay off for themselves in a few months in most cases.
Advantages of CNC tool storage solutions:
In a CNC facility, downtime can be costly. Even the most rudimentary marker system significantly reduces tool changeover time by eliminating. The trial-and-error process of locating the required tool. By efficiently identifying and loading the appropriate tools. The CNC machine can quickly resume production, leading to increased output and productivity. Similarly, effective CNC tool storage solutions help improve tool lifespan and reduce maintenance costs.
With the marker’s ability to track tool usage in real-time, operators gain valuable insights into tool performance. An automated tool marker system can send alerts or notifications when a tool approaches the end of its life or requires maintenance, allowing operators to perform timely replacements or adjustments. This proactive approach enhances overall CNC machine reliability and reduces unplanned downtime.
Even if you do not want to make substantial investment in marker system from get go. You should start with a basic setup like marker boards and enhance the system as you find the facility grow.