Heidenhain Introduces In-Process Gage to Check Tools

Heidenhain Corporation introduces the new TD 110 tool breakage detector, designed to quickly sense tool breakage during use within a machine tool. Providing contact-free inspection of drill bits and end mills, it can reportedly determine whether a tool is broken off by more than 2 mm as it passes within a machine tool.

The TD 110 tool breakage sensor can be placed in the work envelope so that it is fast and easy to reach during the tool change. The inductive sensor can detect tools as they pass by while they are spinning at their operational speed. Due to its rapid scanning technology, even very small tools made of HSS steel and carbide are detected.

The breakage sensor can then generate either a floating or an HTL switching signal and the machine control can evaluate it via standard instruction sets. These signals/outputs can be used to connect to a Heidenhain TNC control or a PLC or to any other IOs of nearly every CNC control manufacturer. In addition, an LED signals whether a tool has been flagged.

Benefits of the Heidenhain’s TD 110 tool breakage detector include a maintenance-free sensor for reducing non-productive time for breakage inspection, and it is tolerant of cooling lubricant and lightly contaminated tools. It is said to be universally retrofittable due to standard interfaces for tool touch probes.