Automatic Tool Turret

1 week ago
aidan
1 minute

Our machine has a 12-station hybrid turret with 6 Bolt-On-Tool (BOT) positions and 6 VDI-40 positions. The VDI positions in the image above are the ones with the red protective plastic caps and can be loaded with either static turning tools, drills/boring tools, or live tools like endmills and drills.

General hazard pictogram
Danger of machine damage
Operate the tool turret only when there is sufficient clearance. Make sure that a moving tool cannot hit the chuck, the workpiece, or another part of the machine.
General hazard pictogram
Danger of damage to tool probe
Do not operate the turret while the tool-probe arm is extended. Before you operate the turret, retract the tool-probe arm. This prevents accidental collisions.

Selecting a tool

To manually rotate the tool turret the machine must be in MDI (Manual Data Input) mode and the door must be closed.

  1. Close the door.
  2. Ensure the machine is in a safe position for a tool change.
  3. Press the MDI button to enter MDI mode.
  4. Type the tool number, for example T6
  5. Press the TURRET FWD or TURRET REV button.

FWD vs REV

Unlike the CNC mill there is a difference between the functionality TURRET FWD and TURRET REV buttons:

  • FWD will rotate the turret clockwise to the requested position when looking from the chuck,
  • REV will rotate it anticlockwise to the requested position.

Performing a position change with the wrong button will rotate the turret all the way around even if it’s the next turret pocket.