91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ

Published

Coming Soon: Universal, CAM-Independent Cutting Tool Library

Software relying on the ISO standards for cutting tools aims to dramatically simplify tool selection.

Peter Zelinski
Peter Zelinski
Editor-in-Chief, Additive Manufacturing

Share

Leaders-In background
CNC Engineering, Inc.
VISIT SHOWROOM

CNC Engineering, Inc.

CNC Engineering, Inc. specializes in enhancing CNC machine tools to boost manufacturing productivity. Our key services include: - CNC Retrofits a...READ MORE

Featured Content
View More
Featured Videos
View More
T J Davies, Co., Inc.
VISIT SHOWROOM

T J Davies, Co., Inc.

Since 1965 we have been manufacturing precision metal products in the United States. We are a veteran-founded, woman-led business dedicated to mak...READ MORE

Featured Content
View More
Heidenhain Corporation
VISIT SHOWROOM

Heidenhain Corporation

HEIDENHAIN is a world-leading provider of encoders, machine controls, touch probes, digital readouts and metrology solutions—empowering engineer...READ MORE

Featured Content
View More
Featured Videos
View More
SMW Autoblok Corporation
VISIT SHOWROOM

SMW Autoblok Corporation

Featured Content
View More
Featured Videos
View More
QualiChem Inc.
VISIT SHOWROOM

QualiChem Inc.

Featured Content
View More
Featured Videos
View More
All World Machinery Supply
VISIT SHOWROOM

All World Machinery Supply

All World Machinery Supply is your one-stop shop for machine tool solutions. Machine Tool Spare Parts | Repair Services | Custom Machine Tool Accesso...READ MORE

Featured Content
View More
Featured Videos
View More
Mikron Corp.
VISIT SHOWROOM

Mikron Corp.

Mikron Machining is the leading partner for high performance machining systems to manufacture complex and precise metal components in high volumes....READ MORE

Featured Content
View More
Featured Videos
View More
ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions
VISIT SHOWROOM

ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions

Featured Content
View More
Featured Videos
View More

ISO 13399 is a family of standards that defines dimensions and other data for cutting tools, inserts, tool bodies, adapters, toolholders and other tooling-related components. In theory, these standards enable cutting tool items from various vendors to be described precisely within a single framework. In practice, what is the value of this consistency?

 
Cutting tool maker Sandvik Coromant believes the value will be significant, indeed.
 
Mats Allard, manager for virtual machining with the company, says tool selection is one area of CNC programming in which there is still considerable inefficiency. A given CAM system might have a built-in tool library, but the user still has to populate it by entering tool data according to the way that library is structured. Plus, even before that, the user has to find the right tools for the shop’s parts—a discovery that often involves sorting through catalogs from various vendors that define and organize their products in different ways.
 
Sandvik Coromant helped to develop the ISO 13399 system. Now the company plans to introduce a software utility built upon these standards. In a recent presentation, Mr. Allard described the company’s vision for a “tool library service” that promises to dramatically simplify the process of selecting the right tool for a particular cut, whether that tool comes from Sandvik Coromant or from another supplier.
 
The utility would serve as a universal tool library able to interface with CAM. Tool data from any vendor would be easy to import into the system, so long as the data are defined according to ISO 13399. Once data from various tool suppliers are in the system, the utility could eliminate much of the manual lookup involved in finding appropriate tooling. The user could just enter required parameters for a particular cut and obtain various suppliers’ offerings in the same search returns. Alternatively, the CAM software might even structure this search automatically by letting the tool library service suggest tools or tool assemblies appropriate to a selected part feature.
 
The scope of the software’s potential is so large that the development effort is large as well. Sandvik is still exploring how far its anticipated tool library service will go in making use of the ISO 13399 format. At EMO, a simulation in Sandvik’s booth will illustrate the company’s thinking on the software so far.
 
In order for this utility to be widely used, of course, it will have to work well not only with cutting tool product lines, but also with CAM systems. Will leading CAM companies make the effort to integrate with this utility?
 
According to Mr. Allard, they won’t have to. He notes that one of the companies in the Sandvik group is TDM Systems, a developer of tool management software that is already using proven CAM interfaces. By building on the interfaces this company has already developed, the tool library service will be able to work with many CAM systems without the CAM companies having to do anything to make this happen. 
 

Related Content

Inside the Process of Cutting Tool Recycling
Cutting Tools

Inside the Process of Cutting Tool Recycling

Global Tungsten & Powders, part of the Ceratizit Group, sheds light on the processing steps that convert a shop’s used inserts into new tools and other applications.

Read More
Quick-Change Tool Heads Reduce Setup on Swiss-Type Turning Centers
Sponsored

Quick-Change Tool Heads Reduce Setup on Swiss-Type Turning Centers

This new quick-change tooling system enables shops to get more production from their Swiss turning centers through reduced tool setup time and matches the performance of a solid tool.

Read More
How to Troubleshoot Issues With Tool Life
Cutting Tools

How to Troubleshoot Issues With Tool Life

Diagnosing when a tool is failing is important because it sets an expectation and a benchmark for improvements. Finding out why gives us a clue for how to fix it.

Read More
Orthopedic Event Discusses Manufacturing Strategies
CAD/CAM

Orthopedic Event Discusses Manufacturing Strategies

At the seminar, representatives from multiple companies discussed strategies for making orthopedic devices accurately and efficiently.

Read More

Read Next

Machine Shop MBA
Top Shops

Machine Shop MBA

  Making Chips and 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ are teaming up for a new podcast series called Machine Shop MBA—designed to help manufacturers measure their success against the industry’s best. Through the lens of the Top Shops benchmarking program, the series explores the KPIs that set high-performing shops apart, from machine utilization and first-pass yield to employee engagement and revenue per employee.  

Read More
Last Chance! 2025 Top Shops Benchmarking Survey Still Open Through April 30
Economics

Last Chance! 2025 Top Shops Benchmarking Survey Still Open Through April 30

Don’t miss out! 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ's Top Shops Benchmarking Survey is still open — but not for long. This is your last chance to a receive free, customized benchmarking report that includes actionable feedback across several shopfloor and business metrics. 

Read More
AMRs Are Moving Into Manufacturing: 4 Considerations for Implementation
Automation

AMRs Are Moving Into Manufacturing: 4 Considerations for Implementation

AMRs can provide a flexible, easy-to-use automation platform so long as manufacturers choose a suitable task and prepare their facilities.

Read More