The Strategic Value of Offline Tool Presetters

by Bernard Martin

Efficiency and precision are paramount in today's manufacturing landscape. One area that remains a big opportunity for shops to increase their bottom line profitability is to implement offline tool presetting.  Only about 30% of machine shops have adopted this technology and it really should be about as common as a vise or a boring head in every shop because it can make you money!

Why Preset Tools Outside the Machine Tool?
The practice of presetting tools outside the machine tool offers numerous advantages over traditional in-machine setup methods. Let's start with the dollars and cents. When tools are preset outside the machine, the machine tool can continue operating, and not interrupting production. This ensures that your CNC milling machine is utilized for what it's designed for—making parts—not sitting idle during tool setups. This approach not only maximizes machine uptime but also significantly enhances productivity by eliminating non-productive setup time.

Offline presetters are equipped to measure tools with high precision, typically achieving accuracies of at least ±2µm, which ensures that tools start producing parts within dimensional tolerances immediately, without the need for test cuts that do nothing more than produce scrap and chips. This level of precision is crucial for maintaining consistent production quality and minimizing tool wear and potential damage to the machine or workpiece​.

Advanced Features of Offline Presetters
High-end offline presetters, like those from HAIMER, come with  features that amplify their utility in a modern shop floor. For example, they often include integrated computers with user-friendly software that guides the operator through complex measurement programs. This capability not only simplifies the task for operators of any skill level but also allows for the storage and recall of tool data, ensuring repeatability and reducing the risk of errors during production runs​.

The Haimer VIO series exemplifies versatility and high-tech sophistication, making it suitable for complex and varied manufacturing requirements. It offers a seamless interface that simplifies operations while ensuring the highest standards of accuracy ad can even integrate shrink fit capabilities.  On the other hand, the Haimer UNO series, starting with its benchtop variant presents a more economical solution without compromising quality, ideal for straightforward applications.

Most importantly, these presetters can perform comprehensive inspections of the tool's geometry, which is crucial for catching any potential issues before they result in machine downtime or defective products. This preemptive capability can translate into substantial cost savings and more efficient material use​.

Presetters manufactures make a broad range of presetters from ones with basic benchtop presetting varsions to highly advanced variants. Any one of them can improve your bottom line.

Economic Impact
The economic benefits of investing in an offline tool presetter are significant. While the initial investment may seem substantial, the return on investment can be rapid. Shops have reported that presetters pay for themselves within days to months by drastically reducing machine downtime and scrap while increasing throughput​.

Given these substantial benefits, the question isn't whether to invest in an offline tool presetter, but rather how quickly your shop can be integrate a presetter into existing operations. The strategic deployment of this technology not only streamlines production but also enhances the overall agility and competitiveness of manufacturing operations.

For more details on how tool presetting can enhance your manufacturing efficiency, exploring further resources on this subject would be beneficial get in touch with the team at Browne Sales