Using Tools

Tools are loaded at specific positions on a machine. A tool change occurs in one of these situations:

  • A new tool is loaded into a machine position where no tool is previously loaded.
  • A new tool is loaded to replace an existing tool.
  • A tool is unloaded without a replacement.

Tool changes can be either planned or unplanned.

Planned tool change

A planned tool change can occur in these situations:

  • Starting a new production run requires tools that are valid for the material starting to be produced.
  • A long-running production run requires tool replacement. Scheduled tool changes during a production run are not available in the application; however, a tool can be changed manually during the production run.

Unplanned tool change

An unplanned tool change can occur in these situations:

  • If the tool is not performing as expected.
  • If there are quality issues with the material being created.
  • If the tool breaks.
  • If the tool is unexpectedly required in another production run.

If a tool is already loaded in the machine position required for a new tool, the existing tool must be unloaded before the replacement tool is loaded. The Change Tool transaction can be used to unload the previous tool and load the new tool.

When a tool is loaded into a machine position, these conditions must be met:

  • The tool must meet the requirements specified in the routing operation, such as the specific tool or a tool of the specified tool type.
  • The tool must be in the Available state and must not be in use on another machine.
  • When tool properties are defined, the property values must match the corresponding material properties for the material of the production order.

When replacing a sub-tool, one of these methods can be used:

  • Replace the sub-tool while the tool pack is unloaded: Unload the parent tool from the machine and replace the sub-tool while the parent tool is unloaded. Another parent tool can be loaded into the machine while the sub-tool replacement is completed. This option is always available.
  • Replace the sub-tool while the tool pack remains loaded: Replace the sub-tool directly in the tool pack without unloading the parent tool from the machine. This option is available only if the corresponding tool type is configured to allow sub-tools to be changed while the parent tool remains loaded. This is defined on the tool type.