Tool for installing a bit on and/or deinstalling a bit from a bit holder system of a milling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool for installing a bit on and/or deinstalling a bit from a bit holder system of a milling machine, in particular a road milling machine, having at least one initiator with which installation and/or deinstallation of a bit is initiated. Provision is made that the tool comprises a detection device having at least one counting device; and that the detection device is designed to detect a number of bits deinstalled using the tool and/or a number of bits installed using the tool. The invention also relates to a corresponding bit holder system and to a method for monitoring wear. With the tool and the bit holder system, additional information regarding bit changes that have been carried out is made available to a user.

Claims

1. A bit holder system for a milling machine, the bit holder system comprising: a bit holder coupled to a milling drum of the milling machine, the bit holder comprising at least one bit receptacle for detachable fastening of at least one bit thereon; wherein at least one noncontact machine-readable data medium is arranged as an identifier on or in the bit holder; the noncontact machine-readable data medium contains information corresponding to a position of the bit holder on the milling drum; and a detection device is configured to read out the information corresponding to the position of the bit holder on the milling drum at least in association with installing or deinstalling of a bit thereon, wherein the position of the at least first bit holder on the milling drum is determined based on the information and the installed or deinstalled bit is correlated with the determined position.

2. The bit holder system of claim 1, wherein the noncontact machine-readable data medium is arranged in a region of the bit holder system which is protected from abrasion.

3. The bit holder system of claim 1, wherein the noncontact machine-readable data medium is an electronic data medium.

4. The bit holder system of claim 3, wherein the electronic data medium is an active or passive RFID transponder.

5. The bit holder system of claim 1, wherein the position of the bit holder comprises a coordinate proceeding in an axial direction of the milling drum and/or a coordinate proceeding in a circumferential direction of the milling drum.

6. The bit holder system of claim 1, wherein the noncontact machine-readable data medium contains information corresponding to a point in time at which a bit held in the bit holder system was installed.

7. The bit holder system of claim 1, wherein the bit holder system comprises a base carrier connected fixedly to the milling drum and a replaceable bit holder detachably connected to the base carrier, and at least one noncontact machine-readable data medium is arranged on or in the base carrier and/or on or in the replaceable bit holder.

8. A method for monitoring a status of replaceable bits and/or bit holders on bit holder systems of a milling drum of a milling machine, the method comprising: reading out, in noncontact fashion via a detection device, a machine-readable data medium arranged as an identifier on or in at least a first bit holder, wherein the machine-readable data medium contains information corresponding to a position of the at least first bit holder on the milling drum; determining the position of the at least first bit holder on the milling drum based on the information associated with the machine-readable data medium; comparing the data read out from the identifier with data stored in the detection device for the position on the milling drum; and detecting that a replaceable bit at that position has been changed.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the position of the at least first bit holder on the milling drum is determined by the detection device.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: transferring the information associated with the machine-readable medium and read out by the detection device to a control unit via an interface between the detection device and the control unit, wherein the position of the at least first bit holder on the milling drum is determined by the control unit.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the detection device comprises an RFID reading device and the machine-readable data medium is an active or passive RFID transponder.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining, based on the information associated with the machine-readable data medium, a point in time at which a bit held in the at least first bit holder was installed.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing information read out from the machine-readable data medium, and/or points in time at which the machine-readable data medium was read out, in a memory associated with the detection device.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising transferring data to the identifier of the at least first bit holder via an interface associated with the detection device, wherein the transferred data corresponds to a point in time at which a bit was installed on at least first bit holder.

15. A method for monitoring a status of replaceable bits and/or bit holders on bit holder systems of a milling drum of a milling machine, the method comprising: reading out, in noncontact fashion via a detection device, a machine-readable data medium arranged as an identifier on or in at least a first bit holder, wherein the machine-readable data medium contains information corresponding to a position of the at least first bit holder on the milling drum; determining the position of the at least first bit holder on the milling drum based on the information associated with the machine-readable data medium; and deinstalling the bits from the bit holder system with the aid of a tool comprising the detection device, and/or installing the bit on the bit holder system with the aid of the tool; wherein the position of the at least first bit holder on the milling drum is determined based on the information associated with the machine-readable data medium and the installed or deinstalled bit is correlated with the determined position.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the position of the at least first bit holder on the milling drum is determined by the detection device.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: transferring the information associated with the machine-readable medium and read out by the detection device to a control unit via an interface between the detection device and the control unit, wherein the position of the at least first bit holder on the milling drum is determined by the control unit.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining, based on the information associated with the machine-readable data medium, a point in time at which a bit held in the at least first bit holder was installed.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising storing information read out from the machine-readable data medium, and/or points in time at which the machine-readable data medium was read out, in a memory associated with the detection device.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising transferring data to the identifier of the at least first bit holder via an interface associated with the detection device, wherein the transferred data corresponds to a point in time at which a bit was installed on at least first bit holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be explained in further detail below with reference to an exemplifying embodiment depicted in the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a milling drum having bit holders fastened thereon;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectioned side view of a one-piece bit holder having an inserted bit;

(4) FIG. 3 is a sectioned side view of the one-piece bit holder system shown in FIG. 2, having a first tool set in place;

(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a bit holder system embodied in two parts;

(6) FIG. 5 is a partly sectioned side view of the two-part bit holder system as shown in FIG. 4, having a second tool set in place; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective depiction of an adapter of the second tool as shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a milling drum 80 of a milling machine (not depicted), having bit holders 30 fastened thereonto. Bit holders 30 are fastened onto the outer circumference of a milling drum tube 81 of milling drum 80. They each constitute a bit holder system 1. In the exemplifying embodiment shown, bit holders 30 are connected directly to milling drum tube 81. Bit holders 30 are welded onto milling drum tube 81 for that purpose. Bits 70 are held in bit holders 30. Bits 70 are embodied in the present instance as round-shank bits. They are held in bit holders 30, each with a bit shank 71 that is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, rotatably around their longitudinal axis but in axially immobilized fashion.

(9) Different milling drums 80 having different arrangements of bit holders 30, and having bits 70 adapted to the respective milling task, are used depending on the milling task to be carried out.

(10) Bits 70 are subjected to severe wear and must therefore be regularly replaced. Their service life depends on the material properties of the substrate being worked, and on the machine parameters with which the milling machine, and thus the milling drum, is operated.

(11) For replacement of bits 70, they can be detached from bit holders 30 and new bits 70 can be inserted into bit holders 30. Special tools 10, 90 are used for this, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 3 and 5.

(12) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectioned side view of a one-piece bit holder system 2 having a bit 70 inserted. Bit holder 30 is set, with a concavely embodied abutment portion 31, onto a drum surface 82 of milling drum tube 81 and welded to it. It has an indentation 32 facing away from milling drum tube 81.

(13) FIG. 3 is a sectioned side view of the one-piece bit holder system 2 shown in FIG. 2, having a first tool 90 set in place. First tool 90 is inserted with a first base part 91 into indentation 32 of bit holder 30. First base part 91 constitutes a cylinder in which a piston 92 is guided. Piston 92 is connected via a first piston rod 93 to a first positioning member 94. First positioning member 94 forms a hook-shaped pull-in portion 95 and a first push-off portion 96. A first handle 97 is connected to first base part 91. First handle 97 carries a hydraulic unit 98 that can have control applied to it via an initiator 12.1 shown in FIG. 5 for a second tool 10. Hydraulic unit 98 allows pressure to be applied to piston 92 selectably on its oppositely located surfaces. First positioning member 94 is thus bidirectionally force-actuatable. In the extended position that is shown, first positioning member 94 has been inserted into a first bit receptacle 33 of bit holder 30 as far as an outer end of said receptacle.

(14) Bit 70 comprises a cylindrical bit shank 71 around which a clamping sleeve 75 is arranged. A circumferential pull-in groove 76 is shaped into bit shank 71 in its free end region. Bit shank 71 forms a cylindrical support part 77 at the end.

(15) First positioning member 94 abuts with its first push-off portion 96 against cylindrical support part 77 and thus against the free end of bit shank 71. It engages with its pull-off portion 95 into pull-in groove 76. By means of a corresponding application of pressure to piston 92, first positioning member 94 is displaced toward first base part 91 and thus into first bit receptacle 33. As a result of the engagement of pull-in portion 95 into pull-in groove 76, bit shank 71 is pulled into first bit receptacle 33 and held there with clamping sleeve 75. Bit 70 is thereby installed on bit holder 30, and first tool 90 can be removed from indentation 32. For deinstallation of bit 70, first tool 90 is again placed with its first base part 91 into indentation 32, and first positioning member 94 is pushed into first bit receptacle 33 by a corresponding application of pressure to piston 92. First positioning member 94 pushes with its first push-off portion 96 against cylindrical support part 77 of bit shank 71, with the result that bit 70 is driven out.

(16) A detection device 110 is arranged on first tool 90. Detection device 110 is depicted symbolically by a rectangle. Associated with detection device 110 are two counting devices 113, one of which is shown schematically in FIG. 6. Detection device 110 is designed to detect a number of bits 70 deinstalled using first tool 90, and a number of bits 70 installed using first tool 90. For this, the count status of first counting device 113 is incremented with each bit 70 that is deinstalled, and the count status of second counting device 113 is incremented with each bit 70 that is installed. Also associated with first tool 90, outside the selected image portion and thus not depicted, are two initiators 12.1, one of which initiates an installation motion and one a deinstallation motion of first positioning member 94. The count status of counting device 113 that counts deinstalled bits 70 is incremented upon actuation of initiator 12.1 that initiates the deinstallation motion. Correspondingly, the count status of counting device 113 that counts the installed bits is incremented upon actuation of initiator 12.1 that initiates the installation motion. The wear behavior of bits 70 for the milling task being carried out can be ascertained on the basis of the number of replaced bits 70 which is thereby detected.

(17) In the exemplifying embodiment shown, detection device 110 is fastened to first positioning member 94 of first tool 90.

(18) It is also conceivable, however, to arrange detection device 110 on other components of first tool 90, for example on first base part 91 or in first handle 97.

(19) Individual subassemblies of detection device 110 can also, as shown by way of example in FIG. 6, be arranged on various components of first tool 90 and connected, preferably electrically, to one another. For example, it is conceivable to arrange counting devices 113 in first handle 97. An optionally possible readout unit can then advantageously be arranged on first positioning member 94. It can also be provided, however, on other components of first tool 90, for example on piston rod 93 or on first base part 91. If at all possible, the readout unit is arranged on first tool 90 so that it is located close to the identifier when first tool is placed onto second tool holder system 2. In the present case, the readout unit is embodied as an RFID reading device 111, as shown schematically in FIG. 6.

(20) A likewise optionally possible identifier is arranged on the one-piece bit holder system 2 and thus on bit holder 30. The identifier is embodied in the present case as a first RFID transponder 100. First RFID transponder 100 is depicted schematically in the illustration as a dotted-line circle. Data of the (in the present case, one-piece) bit holder system 2 are stored in the identifier. When first RFID transponder 100, as shown, is the identifier, the data are stored electronically. Other forms of identifiers can also be used, however, for example an optically readable identifier. One such optically readable identifier can be, for example, a barcode that is arranged on the one-piece bit holder system 2.

(21) The identifier can be read out with the aid of the readout unit of detection device 110, in the present case using an RFID reading device. The data contained in the identifier contain information that makes possible a unique identification of first bit holder system 2. Based on the data read out, a bit change can be uniquely associated with a specific first bit holder system 2 of milling drum 80. It is thereby possible to ascertain how many bit changes have been performed on a specific first bit holder system 2. Conclusions can be drawn therefrom as to the wear behavior of bits 70 on a specific first bit holder system 2. Provision is made here that the data stored in the identifier characterize a position of first bit holder system 2 on milling drum 80. The wear behavior of bits 70 can thereby be determined in spatially resolved fashion over milling drum 80.

(22) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective depiction of a bit holder system 3 embodied in two parts. A base carrier 50 and a replaceable bit holder 40 are associated with the two-part bit holder system 3. Base carrier 50 can be placed with a lower attachment side 51 onto a milling drum tube 81 shown in FIG. 1, and welded to it. Base carrier 50 is thus connected in stationary and permanent fashion to milling drum tube 81. Base carrier 50 comprises a basic body 52 into which an insertion receptacle 53.2 is shaped as an opening. Support surfaces 53.1 are arranged on basic body 52 alongside insertion receptacle 53.2 and facing toward replaceable bit holder 40. Support surfaces 53.1, together with insertion receptacle 53.2, form a bit holder receptacle 53. Alongside bit holder receptacle 53, a threaded receptacle 54 is shaped into basic body 52 of base carrier 50. Threaded receptacle 54 constitutes an opening to insertion receptacle 53.2. A compression bolt 55 can be screwed into threaded receptacle 54.

(23) Replaceable bit holder 40 comprises a support body 41. An insertion projection 44 is shaped onto support body 41. In the installation orientation shown, insertion projection 44 is oriented toward insertion receptacle 53.2 of base carrier 50. It comprises a compression bolt receptacle 44.1 that is closed off by a compression surface 44.2 oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal extent of insertion projection 44. Opposite insertion projection 44 and laterally offset from it, a holding portion 43 is connected integrally to support body 41. Holding portion 43 is embodied cylindrically. It comprises a second bit receptacle 42 proceeding along its longitudinal center axis. Second bit receptacle 42 is embodied as an orifice guided through holding portion 43 and through support body 41. Facing away from support body 41, holding portion 43 is closed off by a wear surface 43.1. Wear markings 43.1 are shaped into the surface of holding portion 43 on the outer periphery of holding portion 43 at various distances from wear surface 43.1.

(24) For fastening of replaceable bit holder 40 onto base carrier 50, insertion projection 44 of bit holder 40 is slid into insertion receptacle 53.2 of base carrier 50 until support body 41 abuts with correspondingly shaped counterpart surfaces against support surfaces 53.1 of base carrier 50. In this position, compression surface 44.2 of insertion projection 44 is arranged in alignment with threaded receptacle 54 of base carrier 50. When compression bolt 55 is screwed into threaded receptacle 54, it presses at the end against compression surface 44.2. Insertion projection 44 is thereby secured in insertion receptacle 53.2. For deinstallation of replaceable bit holder 40, compression bolt 55 is unscrewed with the result that insertion projection 44 and thus replaceable bit holder 40 are released.

(25) According to the present invention an identifier, in the present case in the form of a second RFID transponder 101, is arranged in or on replaceable bit holder 40. Second RFID transponder 101 is depicted schematically by a dashed-line circle. In the present case, second RFID transponder 101 is positioned in a recess (not shown) in support body 41 of replaceable bit holder 40. It is also conceivable, however, to arrange second RFID transponder 101 in or on holding portion 43 or in or on insertion projection 44.

(26) A further identifier, in the present case constituting a third RFID transponder 102, is arranged on base carrier 50. It too is symbolically depicted by a dashed-line circle. Third RFID transponder 102 is arranged in the present case in a recess (not depicted) in basic body 52 of base carrier 50. It is also conceivable, however, to fasten third RFID transponder 102 onto a protected region of the surface of base carrier 50.

(27) Second and third RFID transponders 101, 102 thus constitute identifiers of the two-part bit holder system 3, here of replaceable bit holder 40 and of base carrier 50. It is also conceivable to provide only one identifier, for example on replaceable bit holder 40 or on base carrier 50. Data can be stored in the identifiers. The data can be read out via a corresponding readout unit, in the present case a corresponding RFID reading device 111 as depicted schematically in FIG. 6.

(28) RFID transponders 100, 101, 102 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 represent electronic data media that can be read out in noncontact fashion. They are embodied in the present case as passive RFID transponders 100, 101, 102. These have the advantage that they do not require their own energy supply. The energy necessary for reading out the stored data is taken from the radio signal of RFID reading device 111.

(29) The data stored in the identifiers shown in FIG. 4 (second and third RFID transponders 101, 102) make possible a unique identification of base carrier 50 and of replaceable bit holder 40. By reading out the data it is thus possible to associate a specific replaceable bit holder 40 with a base carrier 50. When a replaceable bit holder 40 is exchanged, a new replaceable bit holder 40 having a new identifier is then associated with base carrier 50. This can be recognized by reading out the data of second and third RFID transponders 101, 102. By reading out the identifiers of base carrier 50, and of the particular replaceable bit holder 40 installed therein, of a milling drum 80, it is therefore possible to determine the number of replaced bit holders 40. Data that characterize the position of base carrier 50 on milling drum 80 are stored in third RFID transponder 102 associated with base carrier 50. Those data can contain a coordinate oriented in a circumferential direction of milling drum 80, for example in the form of an angle indication, and a coordinate proceeding in the direction of the longitudinal extent of milling drum 80. It is also conceivable to associate a position number with each possible position of a base carrier 50 on milling drum 80, and to store that number in second RFID transponder 101. The position of the associated base carrier 50 on milling drum 80 can thus be uniquely determined by reading out third RFID transponder 102. Changes of replaceable bit holders 40 can thereby be ascertained in accurately positioned fashion. It is thereby possible to ascertain, for example, if replaceable bit holder 40 on a base carrier 50 has been replaced several times.

(30) Be it noted once again at this juncture that according to the present invention other identifiers, for example optically readable identifiers, e.g. barcodes, can also be used instead of RFID transponders 100, 101, 102 that are shown. The readout unit is then suitably embodied to read out the identifiers that are used.

(31) FIG. 5 is a partly sectioned side view of the two-part bit holder system 3 shown in FIG. 4, having a second tool 10 set in place. Base carrier 50 is abutted with its lower attachment side 51 against a milling drum tube 81 (not shown) and welded to it. Insertion projection 44 of replaceable bit holder is inserted into the associated insertion receptacle 53.2 of base carrier 50 and held therein by compression bolt 55. A bit 70 is inserted with its bit shank 71 partly into second bit receptacle 42 of replaceable bit holder 40. A clamping sleeve 75 is provided circumferentially around bit shank 71. Said sleeve presses against the wall of second bit receptacle 42 and engages into a groove shaped circumferentially into bit shank 71. Bit 70 is thereby held in second bit receptacle 42 rotatably but in axially immobilized fashion. A bit tip 72, preferably made of a hard material, is fastened onto a bit head of bit 70 oppositely from bit shank 71. A wear protection washer 74 is arranged between a bit head and holding portion 43 of replaceable bit holder 40. The free end of bit shank 71 constitutes a support surface 73.

(32) Second tool 10 comprises a second handle 12. An initiator 12.1 is arranged on second handle 12. Electrical contacts 11 are led out of the end of second handle 12. Oppositely from electrical contacts 11, second grip 12 is connected to a cylinder 13. Cylinder 13 is part of a piston-cylinder system that constitutes an actuator for driving a second positioning member 60. It is conceivable to use other actuators instead of the piston-cylinder system, for example electric motor-driven actuators. The piston-cylinder system is connected articulatedly to second positioning member 60 via a second piston rod 14. At a distance from the attachment point of second piston rod 14, second positioning member 60 is mounted pivotably on a second base part 21 of an adapter 20. Second base part 21 of adapter 20 is abutted against replaceable bit holder 40 and held in its position by a push-off part 23 that braces against wear protection washer 74. Second positioning member 60 is embodied in the form of a curved lever 61. The free end of second positioning member 60 forms a second push-off portion 62 in the form of a drift punch 62, which is introduced through a rear-side access into second bit receptacle 42 of replaceable bit holder 40. Second push-off portion 62 abuts against support surface 73 of bit shank 71 of bit 70. Actuation of initiator 12.1 causes the piston arranged in cylinder 13 to be extended. That motion is transferred via second piston rod 14 to second positioning member 60, so that it pivots around its end-located mount. Second push-off portion 62 is thereby pushed against support surface 73 of the bit with the result that bit shank 71 is pushed out of second bit receptacle 42, as described e.g. in the document DE 10 2008 025 071 A1.

(33) Third RFID transponder 102 is associated with base carrier 50, and second RFID transponder 101 with replaceable bit holder 40. Both are depicted schematically, respectively by a dashed-line circle and a solid circle. Detection device 110, as described by way of example with reference to FIG. 3, is arranged on second positioning member 60 in the region of lever 61. That device too is depicted schematically by way of a solid circle. Detection device 110 enables noncontact reading of the data stored in second and third RFID transponders 101, 102.

(34) FIG. 6 is a perspective depiction of adapter 20 of second tool 10 shown in FIG. 5. A collar 15, constituting an end-located termination of second piston rod 14, is visible at the upper end of adapter 20. When adapter 20 is installed, collar 15 is operatively connected to the piston-cylinder system. Upon actuation of initiator 12.1, the piston-cylinder system presses onto collar 15 with the result that second positioning member 60 is actuated and second push-off portion 62 is pressed against bit shank 71. When initiator 12.1 is released, the piston-cylinder system is moved back, piston rod 14 being moved back, by means of a spring element 22 engaging on collar 15, in such a way that second push-off portion 62 is shifted out of second bit receptacle 42 (FIG. 5). Detection device 110 is depicted schematically on second base part 21 of adapter 20. Detection device 110 can be arranged entirely or partly on second base part 21 or, as shown in FIG. 5, on second positioning member 60. Detection device 110 comprises a counting device 113. RFID reading device 111 is furthermore associated with detection device 110. In the present case, detection device 110 also encompasses a memory 114 and a radio interface 112.

(35) The number of bits 70 installed using second tool 10 can be detected with the aid of detection device 110. For that purpose, a count status of counting device 113 is incremented by one upon actuation of initiator 12.1. Once maintenance has been completed, for example when all the worn-out bits 70 of a milling drum 80 have been deinstalled and replaced with new ones, the count status can be transmitted to a higher-order control unit (not shown). This is accomplished in the present case wirelessly via radio interface 112. It is also conceivable, however, to transfer the data stored in memory 114 to the control unit in wire-based fashion, for example via electrical contacts 11 shown in FIG. 5.

(36) The identifier or identifiers arranged on the two-part bit holder system 3 is/are also read out upon actuation of initiator 12.1. The identifiers are embodied in the present case as second and third RFID transponders 101, 102. They are read out in noncontact fashion with the aid of RFID reading device 111. The data are stored in memory 114 and can be transferred to the control device, together with the count status, via radio interface 112.

(37) The invention is not limited to the exemplifying embodiments presented in FIGS. 1 to 6. It can be transferred to any other one-piece or multi-part bit holders 1, 2, 3 and to tools 10, 90 provided for that purpose for changing bits 70.

(38) It is conceivable for a data interface to be associated with detection device 110. The data interface is not shown in the exemplifying embodiments that are depicted. The data interface is designed to transfer data to the identifiers arranged on bit holder systems 1, 2, 3. Data relating to an installed bit 70, or to a point in time at which a bit 70 was changed, can thereby, for example, be transferred to the respective identifier. Those data can also be read out and evaluated at the next bit change.

(39) It is conceivable to increment the count status of counting device 113, upon actuation of initiator 12.1, only when data of at least one identifier can be read out at the same time. This ensures that tool 10, 90 has been placed onto a bit holder system 1, 2, 3 upon initiation of an installation or deinstallation operation. For example, a count status of counting device 113 can be incremented only when an RFID transponder 100, 101, 102 is located within radio range of RFID reading device 111 and can be read out. Inadvertent actuation of initiator 12.1 when a tool 10, 90 is not placed on bit holder system 1, 2, 3 thus does not cause the count status to be incremented. Once the data have been transferred, the count status can be reset and/or the stored data can be deleted.

(40) It is also conceivable for the count status for deinstalled or installed bits 70 to be incremented when detection device 110 has read out an identifier even though an initiator 12.1 has not been actuated. Provision can be made, for example, that the count status is incremented when an RFID transponder 100, 101, 102 arranged on a bit holder 1, 2, 3 or on a bit 70 comes within radio range of an RFID reading device 111, arranged on tool 10, 90, of detection device 110. The data that are read out can be taken into consideration in the context of incrementing of the count status. Provision can be made, for example, that the count status can be modified only once within a predefined time period for an identifier that is read out. This prevents the count status from being modified more than once when an identifier is read out repeatedly, for example if a tool 10, 90 needs to be set in place twice during bit installation.

(41) As described above, information regarding the position of bit holder system 1, 2, 3 on milling drum 80, and/or information for unique identification of bit holder system 1, 2, 3, can be stored in the identifiers, in the present case in RFID transponders 100, 101, 103. Those data are read out by detection device 110 upon actuation of initiator 12.1. Execution of the bit change can be associated with those data and thus with a specific bit holder system 1, 2, 3 on milling drum 80. The frequency with which bit 70 on a specific bit holder system 1, 2, 3 of milling drum 80 has been replaced can thus be detected with the aid of detection device 110, and can be stored in memory 114 and transferred to the higher-order control unit. As described above, the total number of bits 70 replaced can additionally be detected using detection device 110.

(42) Advantageously, detection device 110 is arranged on tool 10, 90. It is accordingly not necessary to arrange a detection device 110, or for example an RFID reading device 111 or barcode reader, on the milling machine. Detection device 110 and RFID reading device 111 or the barcode reader are thereby protected from the severe mechanical stress that exists during operation in a context of placement on the milling machine.

(43) Based on the number of replaced bits 70 ascertained with the aid of tool 10, 90, it is possible to determine the wear behavior of bits 70; material properties of the substrate being milled; machine utilization efficiency; machine utilization costs
for a milling job that has been carried out. The exchanged bits 70 can be detected cost-efficiently, with little complexity, using tool 10, 90 according to the present invention. In addition, the position of the replaced bits 70 can also be determined with the aid of the identifiers, for example in the form of RFID transponders 100, 101, 102 that are shown. The wear behavior of bits 70 as a function of their installed position on milling drum 80 can thus be ascertained. To enable this, the respective bit holder system 1, 2, 3 is equipped with at least one identifier, for example in the form of an RFID transponder 100, 101, 102. The identifier can be arranged on a bit holder 30, 40 and/or on a base carrier 50 of the respective bit holder system 1, 2, 3. The identifier is read out by the installation/deinstallation tool (tool 10, 90) respectively upon installation and deinstallation of a bit 70.

(44) On the basis of the data thereby detected, a prognosis can be created regarding the life expectancy of bits 70, and can be taken into consideration when scheduling maintenance intervals and planning the provision of replacement bits. The data can also be used to plan ongoing or future milling jobs. The data can advantageously be stored for that purpose with reference to a particular milling drum type and/or a particular milling machine on which the data were ascertained. The detected data can moreover be combined with further data, for example with a removal performance value (milling volume), with machine parameters with which the milling machine was operated, or with a service location of the milling machine. This can be done in memory 114 itself or in the external memory unit to which the data are transferred.

(45) Advantageously, the identifiers are required only on bit holder system 1, 2, 3 but not on bits 70 themselves. Because of the much longer service life of bit holder systems 1, 2, 3 as compared with bits 70, only a comparatively small number of identifiers is needed as compared with known systems in which, for example, RFID transponders 100, 101, 103 are fastened onto bits 70. It is also conceivable, however, also to equip bits 70, in addition to bit holder systems 1, 2, 3, with identifiers in which, for example, the bit type or the item number of bit 70 can be stored. These identifiers can then also be read out using detection device 110 arranged on tool 10, 90.

(46) Further data can be stored in the associated identifier in addition to the position data and data for identification of a particular bit holder system 1. For example, an item number or an installation date or installation time for bit holder system 1, 2, 3 and/or for a bit 70 can be stored in the identifier.

(47) In accordance with a conceivable variant embodiment that is not shown, several RFID reading devices 111 can be arranged on tool 10, 90. Reliable reading of the identifiers is thereby made possible even under unfavorable installation conditions.

(48) In accordance with a further conceivable variant embodiment of the invention, provision can be made that detection device 110 is embodied, upon actuation of the at least one initiator 12.1, to read out an identifier of bit holder system 1, 2, 3 and compare it with data stored in detection device 110; and that deinstallation of bit 70 using tool 10, 90 is inhibited if the data read out from the identifier do not agree with the stored data. Tool 10, 90 can thus be used only to replace bits 70 on previously stipulated bit holder systems 1, 2, 3. An unauthorized bit change is inhibited.