Optical Cutting Tool Setter Measures in Constrained Spaces

Marposs, a manufacturer of measurement, test and inspection technologies, has expanded its visual tool setter (VTS) family with the new VTS SF-45 Compact.

The VTS SF-45 is designed for noncontact, optical measurement of small, complex-shaped cutting tools in constrained working spaces such as micromachining, semiconductor or moldmaking applications. The VTS SF-45 units are installed inside the machine working area to monitor actual tool working conditions without any contact while the cutting tool is able to rotate at full spindle speed (up to 80,000 rpm) during data acquisition. Since there is no need to slow the spindle, pre-setting time can be reduced and measurement accuracy is increased to better eliminate collision hazards.

The VTS SF-45 acquires a variety of cutting tool dimensions in a single instant using the principle of shadow projection where an illuminated object projects its shadow onto the camera. These measurements include tool length, static and dynamic tool diameter, the tool runout and cutting-edge radius. With a resolution of 0.1 µm, the VTS reportedly enables measurement of tools with diameters as small as 10 µm with repeatability of 0.2 µm, providing a higher level of accuracy than touch probes or lasers in small applications.

Additionally, the VTS SF-45 uses a frontal light to analyze the cutting tool surface, displaying the illuminated surface on a PC monitor where the integrity of the cutting edges can be evaluated. The graphical user interface (GUI) software for VTS simplifies the measuring cycle process and documents the tool history, helping to quickly reveal damage in advance of the machining operation. 

One of the main features of the VTS is its protection system, which Marposs says enables excellent measurement performance even in the presence of coolant or dust. Pneumatic shutters cover and protect the optical lens when VTS is not working, plus a patented air flow solution rejects chips and coolant drops.