I stumbled upon this technique on Practical Machinist and was quite impressed by it. How frequently do you find yourself on the manufacturing floor, particularly in a Job Shop, questioning, "For how long have these inserts been installed?"
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:
One handheld digital microscope on your cart...
Some controllers run Windows and you can plug a USB right in...
Lights help a lot, and they're not just for scaring the cat like the ones on vacuum cleaners!
Checking inserts for wear
Close up of the insert
Here's a chipped insert that needs replacing!
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.
Be the first to know about updates at CNC Cookbook
Join our newsletter to get updates on what's next at CNC Cookbook.