Tool Table Organizing & Wireless Network ?

[twocik]

Now that I'm cutting more than a part a day, mostly prototype work right now, I'm curious on how you guys have your TT setup. I was going thru a mess of writing down different tool tables for different parts. Figure out quick that it didn't work at all. I got lost and had to constantly replace TT values, point is it was getting bad before I even opened my doors.

I've found a pretty good workflow for starters, but have some questions.


I'm using Google Docs, it's free and well I can access it anywhere, any time or send it to a partner or more if needed thru the web. Seems to be a pretty cool idea so far, but running into a few small problems.


The way I've set the TT up is starting with


T1 Touch Tool (Plunged @ 0.2")
T2 Face Mill 1.5" 4 FL
T3 Spot Drill End Mill 0.125" 2 FL
T4 Spot Drill End Mill 0.25" 2 FL
T5 Spot Drill End Mill 0.375" 4 FL
T6 Drill Bit 0.227"
T7 Drill Bit 0."
T8 Drill Bit 0."
T9 Drill Bit 0.310"
T10 Tapping Head 6-32
T11 Tapping Head 1/4-20
T12
T13
T14 Rougher End Mill 4 FL 0.5"
T15 End Mill 2 FL 0.125"
T16 End Mill 2 FL 0.25"
T17
T18
T19
T20 Splitting Saw 2"
T21 Boring Head









I tried to come up with a chart that uses the tools in a normal sequence (now some applications are different, but for most general work this will do for now). The spots that are blank don't have a tool yet and mostly due to not being a weldon shank.


I wasn't sure if I can use a weldon tool holder for a tool that doesn't have a weldon groove, or can you ? I was afraid it would slip or be offset...







Last I'm editing this list on my "home" computer along with the CAD & CAM files, has anyone had problems setting up a wireless USB network for transferring files ?


Here's the one I have already



http://www.productwiki.com/belkin-f5...twork-adapter/












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[Magnum164]

I'm using Google Docs, it's free and well I can access it anywhere, any time or send it to a partner or more if needed thru the web. Seems to be a pretty cool idea so far, but running into a few small problems.
.

Only problem I see using Google docs is you could have down time if you need the info and your internet is down. If you can keep at least a local copy, then not bad, I have not used GD in a while.

And yes, I have been down a few days without internet, took almost a week in rehab to recover.

[twocik]

Yes you can save many different formats, or just pencil the ones in by hand like if you break a bit like I did tonight. (stock walls were too thin and the vise pinched the 1/4" cutter... SNAP ! I have 3 extra paper copies and all formats saved to my computer.

As for internet, yes I've had down time, but have a 3G phone that always works.. I think I'm pretty covered as far as this goes, but never know and that's why I have digital copies and paper.




Now that I've figure out what tools I use most, it's time to stock extras..


Anyone on the wireless setup ? Any problems that might interfere with the controller ?


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[Magnum164]

Yes you can save many different formats, or just pencil the ones in by hand like if you break a bit like I did tonight. (stock walls were too thin and the vise pinched the 1/4" cutter... SNAP ! I have 3 extra paper copies and all formats saved to my computer.

As for internet, yes I've had down time, but have a 3G phone that always works.. I think I'm pretty covered as far as this goes, but never know and that's why I have digital copies and paper.




Now that I've figure out what tools I use most, it's time to stock extras..


Anyone on the wireless setup ? Any problems that might interfere with the controller ?


.

Ouch no broken cutters so far.. But I know it will happen. Yea, I have a blackberry but just too dang small to see for anything like this (for me). I will probably just use the Mach3 Tooltable.

For wireless I would think it would be the same as a regular network You should have no problems networking it. I would think the same arguments are valid for wireless as well as regular network and that is how the interrupts could interfere with machine timing. Even though there are USB connections, networking through them will create the interrupts.

What computer are you using for a controller? Might consider reading Tormachs white paper on this issue:

http://www.tormach.com/engineering_TMC.html

I am still debating on should I network my controller myself. For now just using memory sticks or a 1TB USB drive (overkill for CNC I know).

[rowbare]

I wasn't sure if I can use a weldon tool holder for a tool that doesn't have a weldon groove, or can you ? I was afraid it would slip or be offset...

Grind a flat on the tool shank.

bob