Systems and methods for intelligent tool detection are described. One embodiment includes placing a tool in a tool tray, and detecting a presence of the tool. Information associated with the presence of the tool is communicated to a processing system communicatively coupled to the tool tray. The tool is removed from the tool tray, and the removal is detected. Communication associated with the removal of the tool is communicated to the processing system. A distinction between information associated with the tool being present in the tool tray and information associated with the tool being removed from the tool tray is learned.

Systems and methods for intelligent tool detection are described. One embodiment includes a remote server, a processing system communicatively coupled to the remote server, and a tool tray communicatively coupled to the processing system. The tool tray is configured to store a plurality of tools, and to detect whether a tool has been removed from the tool tray. The tool tray is configured to communicate information associated with the removal of the tool to the processing system. The processing system is configured to communicate the information to the remote server.

A universal machining system capable of accommodating multiple small-batch or one-off machining jobs, involving workpieces of different diameter and composition, comprises a rotating chuck having multiple jaws that may be adjusted positionally inward or outward towards the longitudinal centerline of the workpiece or removed entirely, and a tool turret capable of holding a variety of socketed tools. System also comprises a measurement sensor, which may be separate or comprise one of the socketed tools. A control program collects machining instructions for a series of workpieces, and directs the chuck, the tool turret, the measurement sensor, and at least one robot to load/unload workpieces and tools from the chuck and turret, respectively, measure workpieces and tools for quality control, and track available storage, overriding or skipping individual machining instructions as dictated by safety parameters and the availability of raw materials and tools.

A numerical controller performs control for changing a tool mounted on a spindle to another tool stored in a tool magazine based on a machining program. The numerical controller analyzes a command by a block of the machining program, predicts a time required for machining by the analyzed command, and selects a tool changeable before a tool change command, during tool selection, based on the predicted time.

An automatic tool exchange system which allows a tool management mode to be arbitrarily selectable between a fixed address scheme and a memory random scheme in operation of the same machining center. The control unit for controlling the respective drive units of the tool exchanger and the magazine includes a storage unit for storing tool information containing a registered correspondence relationship between the tools and corresponding addresses of the stowage parts of the magazine, a modifying unit for modifying the tool information, and a tool exchange instruction unit for sequentially designating the tool to be used in each of the machining steps in accordance with the machining program, and driving the magazine to move the stowage part at the address corresponding to the designated tool to a predetermined position based on the tool information so that the tool is located at the exchange position at a predetermined timing. The control unit is configured to manage the tool in a mode selectively switchable between a first tool management mode in a fixed address scheme for returning the tool after use to a corresponding address, and a second tool management mode in a memory random scheme so as to stow the tool after use at an unoccupied address where the tool for next use has been previously stowed, and allow the modifying unit to modify the correspondence relationship between the tool after use and the address, which has been contained in the tool information.

The invention provides a data interface device 2 for transmitting tool data to a control device 31a, 31b of a numerically controlled tool machine 3a, 3b, the data interface device 2 comprising a first interface module 21 configure for data transmission with a tool data management device 1, a second interface module 22 configured for data transmission with a control device 31a, 31b of a numerically controlled tool machine 3a, 3b, and a data processing unit 23, wherein the data interface device 2 is configured to receive tool data of a tool usable in numerically controlled machine tools 3a, 3b from the tool data management device 1 via the first interface module 21 and to transmit the tool data to the control device 31a, 31b of the machine tool 3a, 3b via the second interface module 22, wherein the second interface module 22 is connectable to a plurality of control devices 31a, 31b of numerically controlled machine tools, and the data processing unit 23 is configured to convert a data format of the tool data received via the first interface module 21 into a target data format readable by a respective control device 31a; 31b of the plurality of control devices 31a, 31b which receives the tool data, such that the machine tool 3a; 3b, associated with said respective control device 31a; 31b which receives the tool data, is controllable in dependence of the tool data received by the respective control device 31a; 31b.

A universal machining system capable of accommodating multiple small-batch or one-off machining jobs, involving workpieces of different diameter and composition, comprises a rotating chuck having multiple jaws that may be adjusted positionally inward or outward towards the longitudinal centerline of the workpiece or removed entirely, and a tool turret capable of holding a variety of socketed tools. System also comprises a measurement sensor, which may be separate or comprise one of the socketed tools. A control program collects machining instructions for a series of workpieces, and directs the chuck, the tool turret, the measurement sensor, and at least one robot to load/unload workpieces and tools from the chuck and turret, respectively, measure workpieces and tools for quality control, and track available storage, overriding or skipping individual machining instructions as dictated by safety parameters and the availability of raw materials and tools.

An automatic tool exchange system which allows a tool management mode to be arbitrarily selectable between a fixed address scheme and a memory random scheme in operation of the same machining center. The control unit for controlling the respective drive units of the tool exchanger and the magazine includes a storage unit for storing tool information containing a registered correspondence relationship between the tools and corresponding addresses of the stowage parts of the magazine, a modifying unit for modifying the tool information, and a tool exchange instruction unit for sequentially designating the tool to be used in each of the machining steps in accordance with the machining program, and driving the magazine to move the stowage part at the address corresponding to the designated tool to a predetermined position based on the tool information so that the tool is located at the exchange position at a predetermined timing. The control unit is configured to manage the tool in a mode selectively switchable between a first tool management mode in a fixed address scheme for returning the tool after use to a corresponding address, and a second tool management mode in a memory random scheme so as to stow the tool after use at an unoccupied address where the tool for next use has been previously stowed, and allow the modifying unit to modify the correspondence relationship between the tool after use and the address, which has been contained in the tool information.

A numerical controller performs control for changing a tool mounted on a spindle to another tool stored in a tool magazine based on a machining program. The numerical controller analyzes a command by a block of the machining program, predicts a time required for machining by the analyzed command, and selects a tool changeable before a tool change command, during tool selection, based on the predicted time.

An offset number setting device that freely and easily sets an offset number for a tool to be mounted on a tool holder of a turret surface. A display linkage unit displays a turret surface selection screen on a display, displays a tool holder selection screen on the display by selecting the turret surface, and displays an offset number setting screen on the display by selecting the tool holder. An offset number is therefore set for the tool along with the selection of the turret surface on which the tool is mounted.