TOOL SETTER Tool Setter Series
for CNC Machining Centers

Tool setters are ON/OFF high-precision touch sensors used for positioning cutting tools and nozzles.
Tool condition (length and chips) is monitored to prevent machining defects due to wear and thermal displacement.
Automated in-machine measurement eliminates manual setup work and machining defects resulting in improved productivity. This sensor is indispensable for automated operation of CNC machine tools and industrial robots.

METROL tool setters are best-selling products with over 500,000 units shipped globally in 74 countries.

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Functions of the Tool Setter

  • Automates high-precision originating of cutting tools
  • Prevents machining defects due to thermal displacement and wear
  • Eliminates operator burden by reducing setup time by 90%, including conventional test cutting and manual measurement
  • Eliminates dangerous on-machine tool setting

Applications

CNC旋盤内でのバイト（刃物）の原点出し

Setting the origin of the blade in the CNC lathe

Tool length measurement of small diameter tools in a compact milling machine

Tool length measurement on machining centers

Thermal displacement compensation on machining centers

Why METROL Wins Customers

Reason 1:

1μmの繰返し精度で信号出力するため、誤検知が無い

Guaranteed repeatability of 1μm, no false positives

Due to coolant splashing and mist inside the machine tool, non-contact sensors may malfunction in some cases.
The tool setter detects the position of the tool by directly touching its leading edge with the contact-surface, thus ensuring consistent, highly accurate detection with a repeatability of 1 micron.

Reason 02:

Fully customizable to match the equipment to be installed

METROL offers a depth of customization options to optimize the tool setter for your operating conditions.
Various contact-surface sizes, measurement direction modifications according to approach direction, detachable contact-surface for cost reduction, lapped finishes and contact shapes are some of the many available options.
This is the unique service offered by a company who has continuously developed and evolved tool setters.

搭載する設備に合わせて自由なカスタマイズが可能1

搭載する設備に合わせて自由なカスタマイズが可能2

搭載する設備に合わせて自由なカスタマイズが可能3

Reason 03:

オーバートラベル警報信号が出せる

Overtravel (OT) alarm signal can be activated.

METROL tool setters are equipped with an overtravel signal.
This avoids the risk of damaging the sensor or the equipment spindle in the unlikely event that the tool is pushed too far into the sensor.

Reason 04:

Tool setting for high-speed and small-diameter tools

Built-in bearings designed for high precision enable high-speed tool length measurement. This reduces measurement time, allowing measurement without breaking even the finest 0.2 mm dia. tools.

高速・小径ツールの工具計測にも対応の画像1

高速・小径ツールの工具計測にも対応の画像2

Reason 05:

クーラント、切粉がかかる悪条件下でも耐久性に優れたIP67防塵防水構造

Durable protection rating IP67 specification

Excellent durability, having passed rigorous coolant immersion tests and durability tests on actual machining center equipment. It is designed for highly accurate detection even in environments where chips and coolant are scattered.

Product lines

Vertical Machining Center:
Tool setter for tool length measurement

TM26Dシリーズ

Tool Setter (small type)
for CNC Machining Centers

TM26D Series

Repeatability 0.001mm (Recommended operating speed of 50-200mm/min)
Contact diameter Φ20
(Over travel signal) Output mode NC (Normally closed）
About 2.5mm from skip signal

T24・T20シリーズ

φ20 Contact Type
High-precision Tool Setter

T24・T20 Series

Repeatability 0.001mm (Recommended operating speed of 50-200mm/min)
Contact diameter Φ20 / Φ40 / Φ60
(Over travel signal) Output mode NC (Normally closed）
About 6mm from skip signal

Vertical machining centers / compact milling machines:
Tool setter for small diameter tools

P21シリーズ

Tool Setters for Small Machining Centers and Milling Machines

P21 Series

Repeatability 0.0005mm　(Recommended operating speed of 50-200mm/min)
Contact diameter Φ10
(Over travel signal) Output mode NC (Normally closed）
About 2.5mm from skip signal

CNC Lathe: Tool setter for tool originating

H4Aシリーズ

Tool Setter for CNC Lathes

H4A Series

Repeatability 0.001mm (Recommended operating speed of 50-200mm/min)
Contact diameter Φ5
Over travel Signal 0

H4Eシリーズ

Tool Setter for CNC Lathes

H4E Series

Repeatability 0.002mm（2σ）(Recommended operating speed of 50-200mm/min)
Contact diameter □7×5
Over travel Signal 0

Horizontal machining center: Tool setter

T26Kシリーズ

Horizontal Installation Type

T26K Series

Repeatability 0.001ｍｍ　(Recommended operating speed of 50-200mm/min)
Contact diameter Φ20
(Over travel signal) Output mode NC (Normally closed）
About 2.5mm from skip signal

Machining centers / dedicated machines For checking blade breakage Broken tool detection sensor

TD1シリーズ

Drill Bit Breakage Detection Sensor

DFM3 Series

Repeatability
Contact diameter Thickness: φ1.5 Needle
(Over travel signal) Output mode Please check the Catalog and Manual.

Comparative Chart of Tool Setters

  • Adoption results: (++)Excellent
  • (+)Good
  • (-)Average
Series Apprications machineries
Tool length measurement
Tool originating		 Checking blade breakage Tool diameter mesurement positioning nozzles Vertical machining center Horizontal machining center Compact milling machines CNC Lathes other machineries
Tool Setter for CNC Machining centers [T24・T20 Series] ++ ++ + ++ ++ ++ + ++ Please contact us
Small Type Tool Setter for CNC Machining centers [TM26D] ++ ++ - ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
Tool Setters for Small Milling Machines [P21] ++ ++ - ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
Tool Setter for CNC Lathes [H4A] ++ ++ + ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
Tool Setter for CNC Lathes [H4E] ++ ++ - ++ + + + ++
Tool Setters for horizontal machining centers [T26K] ++ ++ - ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
Drill Bit Breakage Detection Sensor [DFM3] - ++ - - ++ ++ + ++

Demo Video

Detection of the CNC Machine's Tool Wearing and Chipping [Tool setter]

Tool Setter for YAMAZAKI MAZAK VCN-430A　[How to measure tool length of small diameter tools]

METROL Tool Length Presetter for CNC Dental Milling Machine

[Case Study :CNC Lathe] Wireless switch for tool length measurement

The way to position nozzles by Automatic　soldering Robots

Dental milling machines Positioning touch switches

Benefits

Prevention of machining defects

Because the tool length varies due to thermal displacement and friction, it is necessary to measure the tool before machining starts to determine the machining origin.

加工不良の発生を未然に防止の画像1

加工不良の発生を未然に防止の画像2

Significant reduction of man-hours

工数を大幅に削減

Conventional tool setting (external setup)

  • Risk of processing defects due to human error
  • Time-consuming and labor-intensive tool length measurement adds on non-production time.
  • Operators need to set up every time, which makes the site time-constrained.
  • Measurement methods become personalized, resulting in handover work and training costs.

Metrol Tool Setter
(on-machine measurement)

    • Eliminates human error when measuring tool length
    • Eliminates 95% of measurement time required to start machining
    • Automated operations allow a fewer number of workers to work on the shop floor and on machine tools.