Linear Tool Changer VS Disc Tool Changer - Which Is Better?

Automatic tool changer kits come in linear and disc tool changers. The mostly used linear tool changers include 8-tool, 10-tool, and 12-tool. Nowadays, most users choose the 12-tool tool magazine. The linear tool magazine can be installed under the gantry or behind the bed. In comparison, the tool magazine under the gantry has faster tool changing speed and lower guide rail wear. In addition, The linear tool changer does not rely on drives and motors like servo tool magazines, so it lacks a set of drives and motors. The cost will be lower and the price is more affordable than conventional ones.

Disc tool changer (also known as drum tool changer) is typically installed next to the spindle or on the side of the gantry. The advantage of the former is that the tool change speed is faster, usually within 14 tools, and 16 or 20 tools for option. If 20 tools are used, the load-bearing requirements of the Z-axis and the gantry are too high, especially the screw rod and the guide rail slider require high strength. After long-term use, the accuracy decreases quickly. The tool magazine installed on one side of the gantry can hold 12-20 tools with strong stability. The tool changing speed is a little slower than that next to the spindle, but the machine accuracy and stability are not affected. Compared with the linear tool changer, the disc tool changer can change tools faster and with higher accuracy. However, the cost of the disc tool magazine is higher for an additional set of servo drives and motors.

The automatic tool changer kits typically works with Yaskawa servo and UNISTAR CNC control system, and the cost is relatively higher. WEIHONG and LNC CNC controller are optional with corresponding servo and lower cost, but there is not much difference in performance.

What router bit to use for woodworking will strike the final quality, accuracy and appearance of your woodworking project. Choosing appropriate cutting tools according to different materials and techniques will take hold of fast and efficient machining. Which tool is best for woodworking? What is each tool used for in woodworking?

• Flat bottom or column router bits, mostly rely on the side edge for cutting, and the bottom edge is mainly used for flat polishing. The end face of the head of the column router bit is large, and the working efficiency is high. It is mainly used for contour cutting, milling plane, area and surface rough carving.

• Another relatively common type is straight, which is often used to carve large characters. The edge of the material cut by it is straight, which is generally used for PVC and acrylic cutting to make characters.

• Milling cutter is the most common tool in automatic woodworking. Milling cutters are divided into many types according to their shapes.

For example, double-edged spiral milling cutters used when cutting acrylic and MDF, single-edged spiral ball-end milling cutters for large deep relief processing of cork, MDF, solid wood, and acrylic. It is a prismatic milling cutter used when making high-density boards, solid wood doors, and furniture.

Of course, many tool manufacturers will also make special tools according to the special requirements of many customers, such as large chip-removing spiral milling cutters that are more suitable for cutting density boards and chip removal. The round bottom cutter is more suitable for precision small relief carving.

• The cutting edge of a ball end tool is arc-shaped, forming a hemisphere during the carving process of the wood cutting machine, the process is evenly stressed and the cutting is stable. Ball tools are not suitable for milling planes.

• Bullnose bit is a mixture of fluted column bit and ball end bit. In addition, it has the features of a ball end bit to carve curved surfaces, and on the other hand, it has the features of a fluted column bit and can be used for plane milling.

• Tapered flat bottom bits, abbreviated as tapered bits. They have the widest range of applications in the carpentry. The bottom edge of the cone bit, commonly known as the tip, is similar to a column bit, and can be used for the finishing of small planes. The side edge of the cone bit is inclined at a certain angle to form an inclined side surface during the working process.

The structural features of the cone bit can enable it to achieve the unique three-dimensional angle clearing effect of the carving industry. Cone bits are mainly used for single-line carving, area rough carving, area fine carving, 3D clear angle, projection carving, image gray scale carving.

• Tapered end mill, referred to as tapered ball nose bit. It's a mixture of cone milling cutter and ball milling cutter. Furthermore, it has the features of a cone cutter with a small tip, and on the other hand, it has the features of a ball bit, which can mill relatively fine curved surfaces.

• Tapered bullnose bit is a mixture of cone bit and bullnose bit. Moreover, it has the features of a cone shaped bit to cut relatively fine curved surfaces, and on the other hand, it has a bullnose shaper cutter. Because of its features, the tapered bullnose router bit is often used for relief carving.

• The V-Groove router bits are designed to cut deep or shallow V-shaped grooves.

• Drill bits are mainly used for drilling. When the hole is relatively shallow, clearing bottom router bits can be used to drill holes.

The installation and operation of the router bit is a very important task for precise cutting and milling. Improper installation of the bit will increase the wear, and cause inaccurate accuracy and difficulty in machining, which must be paid enough attention to.

UNISTAR will share the following methods for proper installation and use of router bits and tools for beginners and professionals alike.

• Before installing the tool, check the wear of the bit first. If there are defects such as chipping or severe wear, replace the bit with a new one or use it after it is repaired to make accurate cuts.

• The relevant surface must be cleaned and wiped clean before installation, and the gasket and hole burrs must be carefully removed to prevent dirt and burrs from affecting the accuracy of the tool installation position.

• When clamping the tool with a washer, the two ends of the washer must be as parallel to each other as possible. If it is found that the bit is skewed after installation, the position of the washer should be adjusted to minimize the cumulative error of the washer. Until the bit does not shake after driving.

• Straight shank milling cutters are usually installed with spring chucks. When installing, tighten the nut to make the spring sleeve shrink radially to clamp the shank of the milling cutter

• Installation of taper shank milling cutter: When the size of the taper shank of the milling cutter is the same as the taper hole at the end of the spindle, it can be directly installed in the taper hole and tightened with a tie rod. Otherwise, use transitional taper sleeves for installation.

• After the tool holder is inserted into the spindle, tighten the bit with the tightening screw. It should be noted that the direction of rotation of the bit must be consistent with the thread direction of the tie rod, so that the thread of the tie rod and the milling cutter can be connected more tightly during rotation, otherwise the milling tool may come out.

• Without affecting the routing, try to make the bit as close to the spindle bearing as possible, and make the hanger bearing as close as possible to the bit. If the bit is far away from the main bearing, a rack bearing should be installed between the spindle bearing and the milling cutter.

• When installing the bit, the key should not be removed. Because there is no key on the cutter shaft, if there is uneven force during milling or under heavy load cutting, the bit tends to slip. At this time, the cutter shaft itself bears great radial resistance and resistance, which will easily cause the cutter shaft to bend, and damage to the fixing gasket.

• After the bit is installed, check all the related washers and nuts again to prevent loosening. And use a dial indicator to check the radial jump or end jump of the bit to see if it is within the allowable range.

• After the tool axis shaft is removed, it should be hung on the rack to prevent the tool axis shaft from bending and deforming. Under special circumstances, when it needs to be stored horizontally, wood chips or soft items should be used to pad it to prevent scratches and deformation.

Drive System

At present, the driving system of the engraving machine is mainly divided into two types: the stepping system and the AC servo system. The stepping system belongs to the semi-closed loop system, and the precision is calculated by the step angle. The AC servo system belongs to the closed-loop mode completely, and there is a measurement feedback system inside, so the accuracy is relatively high. If the funds are sufficient, users who have higher requirements on the engraving machine can choose the machine with the AC servo drive system.

CNC Controller

The control system of the 5x10 CNC machine is currently dominated by Weihong controller, DSP controller, MACH3 controller, LNC control system, and SYNTEC controller. The difference is not too more, and users can choose according to their actual needs.

CAD/CAM Software

There are many CAD/CAM softwares for CNC machines, but the most common ones on the market are TYPE3 and Artcam. These softwares can import CAD drawings well, and can further do simple graphic processing.

Transmission Mode

There are three transmission modes of the CNC machine, namely screw drive, rack drive and synchronous belt drive. The advantages and disadvantages of different transmission modes are different. You can choose according to your actual needs.

Trial Machining Before Buying

Before the official purchase of the machine, you can conduct a trial machining first, use the pattern that needs to be cut from yourself, and see what the sample actually cut by the machine is, so that you can know what you want.