Companies that make products or parts using a CNC (computer numerical control) machine can benefit from live tooling options in many ways. Live tooling offers benefits that increase production speed and accuracy and allow the final product to meet exacting specifications when they are critical.

Live Tooling 

Live tooling is a term used in the machining industry that describes a tooling set that is not stationary. CNC machines that use live tooling hold the blank or material that the product is made from in one spindle, and it does not get removed until the product is complete. 

The live tooling consists of several different tools like end mills, drill bits, and cutters that are mounted to a moving head inside the machine. The heads move, and the tooling moves, while the material is held solidly in place. 

This method of machining allows more precision and fewer discrepancies in the final work because the blank never moves from its mount until the machining process is complete. 

Increased Production Speed

When a CNC machine with live tooling is used in your production process, the speed at which the product is made increases. The material is set up on the machine, and the computer takes over. There is no wasted time resetting and reconfiguring the material in the machine because the computer changes tools and moves the live tooling instead. 

Live tooling is a faster and more precise way to machine the product, but it is critical that the live tooling you are using is made to precision standards and run properly on your CNC machines. 

Most live tooling is custom made, and the movements that the computer uses are programmed by an engineer to take advantage of the live tooling in the job process. Anything that is off in either the tool or the programming can cause a crash and damage to the machine, resulting in delays, so both parts must work together.

Live Tooling Sources

When you are ready to consider buying live tooling for your production, it is vital to find a company that can work with your machines and build tooling to do what you need it to. A few large companies in the industry can handle your live tooling needs, but when you are considering any of them, talk through the entire process and explain in detail what you need. 

No matter how good the company you are working with is, they can not build live tooling for your machines if they do not clearly understand your needs. The company will often build a prototype and work with you to work out any issues in it as part of the process, so make sure that if something is even a little off, you let them know.