2 months by cncdivi
Tracking tool lifespan can be challenging unless you’ve invested heavily in automation. Inserts and other tooling components tend to wear out, and it’s always more advantageous to detect the wear before any tool breakdown.
If you possess a digital microscope, this task becomes simple. USB digital microscopes are an affordable solution for those who can access a computer at their CNC machines.
Check it out:
Without a digital microscope like this, you’d have to pull the toolholder out of the carousel to get close enough to it to see what’s going on. This sure seems easier, and it’s dirt cheap. There are tons of USB digital microscopes on Amazon for $30 to $100. Here’s a typical model:
It has up to 1000x magnification and can also play back on a phone or tablet.
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Bob is responsible for the development and implementation of the popular G-Wizard CNC Software. Bob is also the founder of CNCCookbook, the largest CNC-related blog on the Internet.