Turret Window

The Turret window is a graphical representation of all the stations in your machine. Scroll bars along the side and bottom allow you to navigate through the window. A set of command buttons along the bottom also allows you to manage your turret setup. The window is divided into these panels: List View, Illustration View, Tool Inventory View and M-Code View.

Turret Window – List View

The system will display the List view by default when you open the Turret window. Columns are: Shape, Sta. # (Station Number), Size, Type, Tool Description, Angle, Key Angles, Min Over Travel, Max Over Travel, No Punch Zone and Tool Comment.

Column Title

Description

Shape

A graphical icon that represents the tool shape appears in this column. Double-click a station/row with a tool in it to open the Station dialog to create and edit stations..

Priority

By entering a value in the Priority option, the user can assign a sequence priority to individual tools in the system in a standard machine setup. (Compare this to the Sequence Priority feature in Preferences>Tooling, which can prioritize certain tool types in a sequence, but not specific tools.) Double-click the tool/row to open the Station window and enter a value in the Priority field.

A value of "1" assigned to a tool will cause that tool to be sequenced first. The user may prioritize the tools as desired. See Creating & Editing Stations for more info on assigning priorities to tools. Click the Reset Priority button to return all priority values to the default setting, which is pulled from the Sequence Priority feature in Preferences>Tooling.  

When the user hits the Save Machine button in this window the tool sequence priorities are then saved with the machine and become the default for this machine. (This will NOT affect the original Sequence Priorities in Preferences>Tooling.)

When a sheet using this machine is sequenced, these priority values will be passed on to the Tool Sequence Priority Window in Sequence Features. Tool priorities can then be adjusted in that window on a per-session basis.

Sta. #

The station or tool ID number.

A letter displaying next to the Station number indicates that the tool has been designate for special use. These letters include:

T (Trimming), R (Remnant), L (Reliefs), P (Pierce), S (Scribing), M (Microjoints).

An asterisk (*) indicates that the tool has already been assigned and is in use.

(See Station Tool Information Dialog.)

Size

The size of the station. This column displays the actual size, in inches, or the letter size equivalent.

Type

The station type -

KEYED The station is keyed to hold the tool in a given angle; NOTKEYED The station has no key and is used with ROUND tools; MANUAL Allows the user to override the original key position;  AUTOINDEX Tool can freely rotate to any angle as needed;

CLAMP Used for staging a clamp with the tool holder (for Trumpf-style clamp holders).

Tool Description

A description of the tool currently installed in the station. If a station is empty, then “NONE” appears in the field.

Angle

The angle of the tool when it is assigned to a turret station.

Key Angles

Additional angles that the turret station can allow if needed.

Min. Overtravel

The minimum amount of allowed overtravel.

Max. Overtravel

The maximum amount of allowed overtravel.

No Punch Zone

The area around the clamps that cannot be punched.

Tool Comment

Enter information about the tool, for example the location where the tool itself is stored. When saved, this read-only information is viewable in the Tool Comment column in the Tool Inventory - List View and Tool Inventory panels.

Note: When generating NC code, data from the Tool Comment column will be added to the setup sheet and will be viewable in the NC Sequence Viewer.

For info on entering a comment see the Tool Information Dialog.

 

Option

Description

View Tool Hits and Sequence by Station Color


This is a toggle switch. If you activate the option, the tool hits appear on the part or sheet in the colors you assigned using the Station Color List or Station Color Button in the Station window.

View All Tools

This is a toggle. If you activate the option, the system only lists those tools in the Tool List that are available when the selected turret station is of the same size and type.

View by Letter

This is a toggle. If you place a check mark in the check box, the system will display the station sizes as letters in the Turret and Station windows. If you remove the check mark, then the actual stations sizes display.

 
Command Buttons

Reset Priority

Click to return the Priority values in each cell to the default setting. See Priority above for full info.

Add

To place tools in the turret click the Add button and the Turret window displays the Tool List on the right side. Tool List will display the tools in the currently loaded Tool Inventory. The tools are grouped by type, i.e., Round, Double D, Single D, Obrounds, Squares, etc.

You can save tools with the machine setup to create a standard turret load.

Notes:
1) When you use the Auto Sheet, Auto Part or Assign options for tool assignments, the system automatically adds the tools to the turret.
2) You can only place tools in empty turret stations, i.e. stations having the Tool Description of “None”. 
3) When you select a tool in the Tool List that matches a station size in the turret, the system will highlight the corresponding station(s) in List View to indicate those stations that will accept the selected tool.
4) The system remains in Add Tool mode until you select another option.
5) The special tools appear at the very end of the Tool List. Note: Changes made to a Special Tool in the Special Tool Designer module will automatically be passed to the Tool Inventory.

Remove

To remove a tool from a station, select the station containing the tool and then click the Remove button in the turret window.

Clear

Click the Clear button if you want to completely change your turret setup, or remove all of the unused tools from the turret. A message window appears asking if you want to clear All Tools, or just the Unused Tools from the turret. Select the appropriate option and click OK. Click Cancel to exit without clearing any tools from the turret. Remember that Clear Tools will not remove tools from Fixed Stations.

Print Turret

Click the Print button if you want to print your turret setup. When the system prompts you for confirmation, press <Y> for Yes or <N> for No. The report lists the station number, size, type, tool, angle, over travels, key angles and no punch zones. The report may be split over several pages, but the station numbers appear on all the pages.

Update Tool Info

If you have loaded a machine or sheet that does not include tool information and the Tool Inventory does include tool information, use the Update Tool Information button to update every tool in the turret. (See also Update Button under Station Tool Information Window.)

View Sorted Tools

The View Sorted Tools button is a toggle. You can use this button to display only those tools, sorted by shape and size, which are actually used to process the part or sheet. The remaining stations without tools are hidden from view. Click the button again to view all the turret stations and installed tools.

Size View Setting

Some machines use a letter designation, such as A, B C, etc., to indicate the station size and type, while other machines use the actual tool size to define the turret station size. The Size View button allows you to define the station size and use either a letter designation for the station or the actual size.

Click on the Size View Setting button and the Letter Tool Size dialog appears.  

Clicking on any drop-down list on the left displays the letter designation for a particular station size in the turret. Clicking on any drop-down list on the right displays the actual station sizes.

If necessary, you can correct the letter designation and size for each station type. Select a letter designation from one of the lists on the left and then select the appropriate size from one of the lists on the right. Click OK to save the changes or click Cancel to exit without saving.

Save Machine

Click the Save Machine button to save any changes. If the system prompts you to overwrite the existing machine, click OK.

Saving Changes to the Turret
The changes you make in the turret are saved when you save the sheet. However, if you also want to save this as a new machine file, use the Save As… option under the File menu to assign a new name. (See Machine File.)

Note: Changes made to a Special Tool in the Special Tool Designer module will automatically be passed to the Tool Inventory.

Download / Upload Turret

Download an SDDJ Turret Layout to the AP100US Turret File and tool inventory. (Available only if connected to an SDDJ Server.)

Upload an AP100US Turret file to the SDDJ database.

Note: These options are available only for AP100US users, who are connected to an SDDJ Server.

OK / Close

Click OK to save any changes and exit The Tool Inventory window.

Click the Close button to exit the Tool Inventory window without saving any changes.

Notes:

 

1.       You can toggle between the List, Illustration and Tool Inventory views by clicking their respective icon buttons along the left-hand side of the Turret window.

2.       If your turret does not display any stations or just one station, select the Turret Info option from the Machine menu and define the station information before attempting to add tools to the turret.

3.       If you are using an existing machine, make sure the information for each station is correct. If you are creating a new turret, you will need to enter the information for each line. (See Creating and Editing Stations .)

Turret Window – Illustration View

Clicking the Illustration button will display a graphical layout of the currently loaded turret within the Turret Illustration window. The station number for all stations displays by default.

While the cursor is over the display, depress and hold the center mouse wheel and drag the entire display so that a particular station is at the center. Roll the mouse wheel button to zoom in and zoom out.

(See Turret Illustration and Design  and Turret Types for more information.)

Passing the cursor over a turret station will highlight the station in blue and its number in red. The system will also display information for that station in a tag. If a station has a tool assigned, the tool will be highlighted in green, and tool information will display in the tag. See the illustrations below.

If there is no tool currently installed in the station  the word “Free” will appear in the tag after the station number.

 

When a tool is installed the tag indicates the tool type and tool size (RE - rectangle -, size = 0.035 x 0.400). The tool installed in Station 128 is outlined in green.


 

Double left-click on any station to open the Station dialog. From here edit station characteristics. (See Creating and Editing Stations for more info.)

Loading tools into the turret is permitted in this window. Right-click on a station in the turret illustration and click on Add to open the Add panel. From the panel drag and drop tools from the Tool Inventory into the stations in the Illustration view. To remove a tool from a station, right-click on the station and click Remove.

When a tool is selected (as in the diagram above) all empty stations suitable for the tool (according to size) will be highlighted in blue. Occupied stations display in green. Drag and drop a tool from the Tool Inventory on the right over to a BLUE station in the turret illustration on the left.

Click on the Station button to open the Stations Available dialog box shown on the left. After a tool is selected in the Tool Inventory panel the button becomes available. Select an available station and click OK to place the tool that is already selected into the station.

Right-click a blank area of the turret illustration to display the flyout menu with turret setup options as discussed above in Turret Window – List View .

 

Turret Window – Tool Inventory View

If you click the Tool Inventory tab, the system will switch to Tool Inventory mode and list all the tools in the currently loaded Tool Inventory.

To edit an existing tool, double-click any Tool/Row to open the Edit Tool panel shown here. The panel will be populated with values for the current tool that may be edited.

 

Column Title

Description

ID

Displays the Tool ID.

Shape

The shape of the tool (such as “Round” or “Rectangle”) is given here.

Dimensions

The Dimensions of the tool is shown here.

Size

The Size of the tool is shown here.

Angles

Displays the angle value that was entered in the Add New Tool dialog.

Clearances

Displays the Die Clearance value(s) that have been entered for the Tool.

Tool Comment

Enter any necessary information about the tool, such as where the tool itself is stored.
Tool Comments must be added through the Tool Information Dialog.

Note: When generating NC code, data from the Tool Comment column will be added to the setup sheet and will be viewable in the NC Sequence Viewer.

 

Option

 

Description

Add

The Add option allows the user to add a tool to a new or existing inventory. Click the Add button and the Add New Tool dialog displays on the right side of this window. For info on adding new tools, see Creating and Editing Tools.

To display the Edit Tool dialog in this place, double-click any existing tool in the inventory.

Batch Add

Batch Add can add multiple tools to the inventory at one time, instead of adding individual tools one by one.  

Click the Batch Add button and the Tool Setup windows displays. Begin by picking a tool inventory from a listed company, and then simply check the tools you want to add and click Finish button. The tools you selected are now added.

Tool Setup Window

Refer to these instructions for Batch Adding.

In the first dialog box, select a tool inventory from a specific manufacturer.

Click Next to go to the main Tool Setup dialog.

In the next Tool Setup dialog, check the tools that are to be Batch Added and click Finish to load those tools. Click Back to return to the dialog above if necessary.

  

Delete

The Delete option removes the currently selected tool from the Tool Inventory. Click the line belonging to the tool you want to delete, and then click the Delete button. The tool is removed from the list. If you accidentally delete the wrong tool, click the Restore button to restore it.

Restore

The Restore option reverses the Delete command and restores a tool. Click the Restore button and the last tool you deleted reappears in the Tool Inventory.

Note: You must use Restore before exiting the Tool Inventory window. Once you save your changes and exit, you cannot restore any deleted items.

Copy

To add a tool that is similar or identical to an existing tool in your inventory, click the Copy button. Click the line belonging to the tool you want to copy and then click the Copy button.

The Copy Tool panel (which functions in the same way as the Add New Tool and Edit Tool dialogs) will appear and display information for the original tool. Modify the information as needed. When the information is correct, click OK and a copy of the tool appears in the list.

Special

Special tools are tools having custom shapes, rather than standard shapes. You must draw and record the station information for your special tools before you can add them to your Tool Inventory. (See Designing Special Tools.)

To add an existing special tool to the inventory, click the Special button. When the Open dialog box appears, navigate to the desired drive and folder, and then select the file name of the special tool. Click Open to load the special tool into the current inventory. You can load as many special tools as needed. Click Close to exit the Open dialog box.

Notes: Special tools cannot be edited in the Tool Inventory module. To edit a special tool, select the Design Special Tool… option from the Tool menu to open the Special Tool window.
When a Special Tool is edited in the Special Tools Designer, changes made will automatically be updated to the Tool Inventory.

See Designing Special Tools.

Load

The Load button displays the Open dialog box. If you want to change an existing tool inventory, use Open to load that tool inventory so you can make corrections.

In addition to standard inv files, the user may choose to load from Tool Inventory files in .XLS or .CSV formats. From here it is also possible to create and edit .xls and .csv files. See Export below for more info on this.

Save

You must save the Tool Inventory after modifying it. If you have created a new tool inventory, click the Save As button. Navigate to the desired drive and folder, and then type a name in the File name: text box. Click Save and then Close after the system saves your tool inventory.

For an existing tool inventory that you want to save under the same name, click the Save button.

Note: The system prompts you save the changes before you exit. Press <Y> for Yes, <N> for No, or <Escape> to cancel. If you press <N>, any changes you made are permanently lost. If you want to save the inventory under a different name, press <Escape>, and then use Save As.

Save As

You must save the Tool Inventory after modifying it. If you have created a new tool inventory, click the Save As button.

Clear

The Clear button allows you to clear the current inventory and start a new inventory. You may want to do this if you are creating several tool inventories. However, if you use Clear, make sure to save the tool inventory under a different name before you exit the Tool Inventory. Otherwise, you will overwrite the contents of the original tool inventory.

Print

If you want to print a list of the Tool Inventory, click the Print button. The Print Options window appears. Select either Current Screen or Entire Inventory, and then click OK.

Select Current Option if you only want to print those tools that are currently visible within the Tool Inventory window.

Select Entire Inventory if you want to print every record in the Tool Inventory.

Export

To export Tool Inventory files in .XLS or .CSV formats, click Export. The Save As dialog will open allowing the user to save directly to the TOOLINV folder in the AP100US installed folder in either .xls or .csv format.

The Save As folder contains a Format Name and button. The user may select from existing formats, or click the button to open the Format Options window to create or edit formats.

See Exporting Files in XLS or CSV formats in the Material Files folder for more info on creating and editing .xls and .csv files.

Download / Upload  Inventory

Download an SDDJ Tool Inventory to the AP100US Tool Inventory File. Upload a Tool Inventory to update the SDD Tool Inventory. (Available only if connected to an SDDJ Server.)

Batch Modify Linked Driver

If a user needs to map a Standard Item to an item that needs a value input, this button may be selected to open the Punch Condition Mapping window. Here the user will see current M-Codes and make changes to the M-Codes mapping as needed.

OK / Close

Click the OK button when you have recorded all the additional tool information. Click Cancel to exit the Tool Information window without saving any changes.

Turret Window - M-Code View

AP100US supports MCA files that contain conditions for Special Tools. Used with Combo and Punch machines, this read-only MCA info can help the user to maximize special tool actions, which will speed up special tool processing and result in an improved Run Time. See View Run Time for more info.

When a newer model Amada punch or combo machine is loaded, along with an MCA file (see Machine>Description window for more info) the MCode icon displays. Click the button to display the M-Code panel.

.

When a tab is selected (such as Forming shown here) the image
at lower right shows an explanation of columns in that tab

Importing MCA Files
MCA files that are created by an operator on the machine controller can be imported into AP100US. Using a portable memory device attached to the machine controller, export a copy of the MCA file and then place that copy in the C:\AP100US\ConditionFile folder. The imported MCA file can then be opened in AP100US by clicking the Add button next to the Machine Settings>MCA File field. When the Open dialog appears, double-click a .mca file to add it to the field. See the Machine>Description window for more info.

 

Tabs and Column Headers

NIBBLING (Punching out a part or slug using many tool hits in rapid succession.)
Description: The description or name assigned to the tool by the operator/user when the tool was first added to the inventory.
A: Waiting Position: Position of a tool above the sheet when the sheet is in motion.
B: Bottom Position: Maximum depth of the tool after the hit when it has passed through the sheet towards the die.
Comment: Comment added to the tool by the operator/user.

PUNCHING (Use of punching tools to process a sheet as opposed to laser cutting.)
Description: The description or name assigned to the tool by the operator/user when the tool was first added to the inventory.
A: Waiting Position: Position of a tool above the sheet when the sheet is in motion.
C: Slow Position: Position of the tool when it slows down just prior to the actual hit.
B: Bottom Position: Maximum depth of the tool after the hit when it has passed through the sheet towards the die.
Comment: Comment added to the tool by the operator/user.

KNOCKOUT (Removing a slug with a single hit from a tool.)
Description: The description or name assigned to the tool by the operator/user when the tool was first added to the inventory.
A: Waiting Position: Position of a tool above the sheet when the sheet is in motion.
C: Slow Position: Position of the tool when it slows down just prior to the actual hit.
Assembly Length: Overall length of actual tool.
Punch Length: Length of the actual punch that is inside the tool.
Die Length: Length or overall thickness of the die itself.
B: Bottom Position: Maximum depth of the tool after the hit when it has passed through the sheet towards the die.
High Speed Knockout: Actual speed of the tool when making the hit. The user may choose Normal or High.
Tool ID: The ID number assigned to the tool.
Comment: Comment added to the tool by the operator/user.

MARKING (Use of a special tool to stamp a name or logo on a part.)
Description: The description or name assigned to the tool by the operator/user when the tool was first added to the inventory.
A: Waiting Position: Position of a tool above the sheet when the sheet is in motion.
C: Slow Position: Position of the tool when it slows down just prior to the actual hit.
Assembly Length: Overall length of actual tool.
Punch Length: Length of the actual punch that is inside the tool.
Die Length: Length or overall thickness of the die itself.
B: Bottom Position: Maximum depth of the tool after the hit when it has passed through the sheet towards the die.
High Speed Marking: Select Normal or High to control the speed of a marking hit.
Tool ID: The ID number assigned to the tool.
Comment: Comment added to the tool by the operator/user.

SLITTING (Similar to shearing, a tool and die work together to create a "scissor" effect to make a slit in the material.)
Description: The description or name assigned to the tool by the operator/user when the tool was first added to the inventory.
A: Waiting Position: Position of a tool above the sheet when the sheet is in motion.
Assembly Length: Overall length of actual tool.
Punch Length: Length of the actual punch that is inside the tool.
Die Length: Length or overall thickness of the die itself.
B: Bottom Position: Maximum depth of the tool after the hit when it has passed through the sheet towards the die.
Bottom Position End: The final position of a tool when the hit is completed.
Tool ID: The ID number assigned to the tool.
Comment: Comment added to the tool by the operator/user.

FORMING (The use of a tool to modify the geometry of a part rather than removing a portion of the material.)
Description: The description or name assigned to the tool by the operator/user when the tool was first added to the inventory.
A: Waiting Position: Position of a tool above the sheet when the sheet is in motion.
C: Slow Position: Position of the tool when it slows down just prior to the actual hit.
Assembly Length: Overall length of actual tool.
Punch Length: Length of the actual punch that is inside the tool.
Die Length: Length or overall thickness of the die itself.
B: Bottom Position: Maximum depth of the tool after the hit when it has passed through the sheet towards the die.
Forming Cycle Time: The time required to complete one complete forming hit.
Brush Surfacing: This switch (1=on, 0=off) enables the Floating Brush Table, which raises or lowers a brush table under or near the turret. The machine in use must be equipped with an FBT.
Tool Type: Select from Normal, Ram Hold Down (With the tool at the final bottom position it will briefly hold in place to complete the deformation of the material.) or High-Speed forming.
Approach Speed: Speed of the tool as it nears the material to execute a hit.
Tool ID: The ID number assigned to the tool.
Comment: Comment added to the tool by the operator/user.

MPT-TAP (Multi-Purpose Tool for Tapping or drilling out a threaded hole.)
Description: The description or name assigned to the tool by the operator/user when the tool was first added to the inventory.
A: Waiting Position: Position of a tool above the sheet when the sheet is in motion.
B: Bottom Position: Maximum depth of the tool after the hit when it has passed through the sheet towards the die.
Comment: Comment added to the tool by the operator/user.