## Update Tool Length - Immediate

The Update Tool Length - Immediate form is used as a one-shot setup command to define the tool length in an interactive session. It is an independent setting and will not be part of or show up in a program.

Note: This operation should only be executed once before cutting the part - a second execution of this procedure will double the intended tool length update.

See also Set Tool Length - Program Control for instructions to define the tool length in an interactive session that will be part of a control program.

1. Press the Forward soft key to get to the second page of the Main screen.

2. Press the Update Tool Length soft key to display the Update Tool Length screen.

Make sure that the appropriate Tool Offset type (A, B or C) is selected for the controller being used in the Config Tool utility.

Note: The Update Tool Length function is based on the part feature with the target value having been cut by the tool you input. In this situation, the difference between the target value and the measured value is the tool length wear error. It is critical to understand this as the update will permanently change the value of the tool length.

The following steps are used to perform a one-shot tool length update:

1. Navigate to the second page of the NC Gage Main screen.

2. Press the Update Tool Length soft key to display the Update Tool Length form.

3. In the Tool section, enter the Tool Number of the tool used to cut the feature to be used in the calculation. If the Tool Offset Type is A, then the Tool Length is represented by a single number, Geometry. The modified tool length will be applied to this number. If the Tool Offset Type is A or B then the current whole tool length (Geometry + Wear) is displayed. The change to the tool length will be applied to the Wear value.

When a valid tool number is entered, the screen will update with the following:

- The tool length from the NC machine will be retrieved.

- The current length is shown and the new length is computed.

- The difference between these two numbers is shown. This difference should be the same as the deviation of the feature location. This is because NC Gage computes the tool length that would have cut a "perfect" feature had it been set when the part was cut.

Note: If NC Gage determines that the tool number value you input is the same value as the active probe number in the program (see the Pocket value in the active probe section on the left side of this form), it will display a warning. This, in effect, is requesting the system to updated the probe length which isn't allowed - the tool number and active probe number values cannot be the same. Correct this then proceed.

4. Select the appropriate Work Offset from the list on the right side of the dialog.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to Position the probe Away From Target Point Along Work Face Normal.

6. Press the Read Position soft key to read the target point.

7. Follow the on-screen instructions to position the probe for automatic measurement.

8. Press the Execute soft key to complete the Update Tool Length - Immediate procedure. The point is learned and the difference based on the measured Z point value and the target value is computed. The new tool length is displayed.

9. It is critical to understand that the update is based on the last cut made and will change the tool length value permanently. Ensure the intended changes are correct, then press the Confirm Button To Update Tool Length soft key to finalize the changes. The difference value will be updated to the wear length of the tool number you input. Press the Return soft key to return to the previous screen without saving.

Note: The wear for the currently identified tool will be modified by the value that NC Gage calculates as the difference between the target and measured locations. The tool wear will be adjusted by this difference each time the Confirm soft key is selected. Thus, the user is advised to execute this routine only once for each instance that a tool cuts a surface.

Available Navigation Bar Soft Keys on this Screen: