Barcode ID Tool Data Management System for CNC Machining

Caron Engineering’s ToolConnect Barcode ID System automates the process of loading tools into the machine. A single scan transmits all tool data directly to the CNC control. No operator data entry or interaction with the CNC control is needed!

Simply measure the tool at the presetter, print the QR label, and let ToolConnect do the rest! It’s a simple, low-cost solution to manage your cutting tools!

• Increases process reliability

• Reduces setup and cycle times

• Eliminates errors associated with manual data entry

• Can be easily upgraded to an RFID system

Full Video Transcript

Hey guys, Brandon Springer here with Caron Engineering. I want to tell you a little bit about our Tool Connect barcode app. This application takes the tooling information from the presetter and puts it directly into the CNC through our Tool Connect application. Let me show you how it works. Now the presetter has measured all the features of the tool, I’m going to go ahead and print a 2d barcode label. You can affix this to the tool and bring it over to the machine, and the tooling is ready to load. Now that we’re over at the machine, I have the tool here with the barcode. We’re going to scan the barcode for the tooling information to load into the Tool Connect application. So right now the Tool Connect application reflects the data that was written on the tool – can be tool length, radius, assembly numbers.  So now that information is displayed on the Tool Connect application when the operator confirms the information is correct. Now the Tool Connect application is prompting the operator to load the tool into the tool changer. Now that Tool Connect has verified that I’ve loaded the correct tool into the machine, the Tool Connect application has automatically written offsets to the CNC. What’s unique about the Tool Connect application is there’s no need for operator data entry, there’s no need to interact with the CNC, and this can all be done while you’re machining parts.