Product Information

VT 121
VT 122
Vision Systems for
In-Process Tool Inspection

VTC
Software for Tool Inspection
on a PC

09/2024

2x45 (6x)

36

37

54

51

75

50

VT 122

36(7)

(85)

92

7106

121


20.5

68
48

Variante
02
Variant 01

VT 121

(8)

(13)

121

98



181

(7)

(85)

115
121

47.7
26.7(23.5)
6.7

281059.5
75

4492


54

724

106

6 = Bildfeld der Kamera
68
7 = Schärfeebene
8 = Befestigung mit mindestens zwei Spannpratzen ID 329454-02
diagonal angeordent
48
219
9 = Montage der Spannpratze wegen Anschlüssen nur eingeschränkt
möglich
(8)


3872
16

Variant 01 /Variant 0212



Z(40)



52

56.5

35

72(91.5)

59.5

1612



Z56.5



35



6.7



Product Information: VT 121, VT 122 with VTC    09/2024

24.2

Product Information: VT 121, VT 122 with VTC    09/2024

2874



(40)

7 = Focal plane
6 = Bildfeld der Kamera
8 = Attached with at least two diagonally positioned fixing clamps
7 = Schärfeebene(ID 329454-02)
8 = Befestigung mit mindestenszwei
 Spannpratzen ID 329454-02 diagonal angeordent
9 = FixingclampAnschlüssen
difficult to use
to electrical connections
9 = Montage der Spannpratze
wegen
nurdueeingeschränkt
möglich(8)

11 =for Versorgungsspannung
supply voltage= Connection
Anschluss für
22 =interface= DataDatenschnittstelle
33 =for compressedair= Connections
Anschlüsse fürDruckluft
44 == Camera
Kamera1155 == Camera
Kamera22
6 = Camera field of view

38

23.5

121

1 = Connection for supply voltage
2 = Data interface
3 = Connections for compressed air
4 = Camera 1
5 = Camera 2
6 = Camera field of view
7 = Focal plane
8 = Attached with at least two diagonally positioned fixing clamps (ID 329454-02)
9 = Fixing clamp difficult to use due to electrical connections

17(10) 219

3524


6.7

44


181

24.2

74
115 (66)
212

28

121

2(8)

84

35.5

1.7





(2240.

3
 29.5

Z

7115.5)
86

 10

56.5

363097

 28
 20
 13.5(13)Y

1 = Anschluss für Versorgungsspannung
2 = Datenschnittstelle
52
3 = Anschlüsse für Druckluft
Variante 02
4 = Kamera 1
5 = Kamera 220.5

17355012136



51 23.5(91.5)

(66)

Y



37

1.7

35.5

2x45 (6x)

23.5



(10)

(68.5)(8)(10)  Z

71

8445°

 (10 ±0.2)28

Mating dimensions

28





74(13)(40)(8 ±0.2)



74
47.7



48(10)

Variante 02




Z68

(8)

13

7

106(40)

20.5

49

1292Z



(10 ±0.2)(8 ±0.2)

(7)



1775

16(85)



143
X

38

50
36

38

5172

54

35

Variante 01
Variant 02

36

37

24.226.7

219

2447.745°52

44(23.5)

 20.5±0.22x45 (6x)48618110115(66)105

1635.5

1.7

84

71

289268Z



659.5

Z

1637.1

20.5

84(13)

6.7 ±0.1

19.1

71

56.5
24.2



35





HEIDENHAIN(23.5)

(13)
X



(10)

Variante 01

47.7

VT 121, VT 122
Vision system for tool inspection and measurement

145°

3

Visual Tool Check (VTC)
Software for tool inspection on a PC

Specifications

VT 121

CameraTwo 1.3-megapixel cameras• Monochrome• Each with a ring light and lateral LED (settings via PC software)• 8 mm compressed air inlet for pulse cleaning of tool and cover lenses (optional: two 6 mm inletsavailable)–VT 122

Measuring LED on Camera 1 for tool
measurement

Image size

8 mm x 10 mm

Supply voltage

19.2 V to 30 V (EN 61131-2)

Electrical connection(supply voltage)

12-pin A-coded M12 flange socket (male)

Camera interface

Gigabit Ethernet (CAT 5e or later)

Electrical connection(camera interface)8-pin X-coded M12 flange socket (female)

Cable lengthMax. 25 m (with HEIDENHAIN cable)

Placement of connections*

On the side

• On the side
• Through the base plate

Operating distance

20.5 mm

52 mm (Camera 1)
20.5 mm (Camera 2)

Protection rating

IP66/68Mass≈ 1.00 kg

Operating temperature

0 °C to 45 °C

Type of mounting

Attached with fixing clamps• Attached with fixing clamps• Fastened with four M6 screws:
92 mm x 50 mm

ID number

1249466-01

1373589-xx

Tool

Diameter

Breakage control
Starting from alength differenceof DL ≥ 0.1 mm

ImagesWearmeasurement(vB)
Resolution 5 µm

In-process
measurement
2σ < 2 μm(with VT 122)

End mill

1 mm to 100 mm

✓✓

✓

✓

Drill

1 mm to 32 mm✓✓✓✓

Ball-nose cutter

1 mm to 32 mm✓✓–✓

Toroid cutter

1 mm to 100 mm(R2 ≤ 16 mm)✓✓–✓

OthersUpon request

Control

TNC 640 HSCI, TNC7

Other controls (also non-TNC)

NC software version

Installation possible starting with NC software
340590-10 (with the Python OEM Process andRemote Desktop Manager software options)

Upon request

Cycles• Setup• Calibration• Manual inspection• Panoramic image of side teeth• Plan view or profile view• Individual or mosaic image of face teeth• Breakage detection (length)• Tool measurement (length, radius, corner radius)• Measuring with zero length• Point angle measurement• Temperature compensation• Individual images• Panoramic image• Breakage detection• Other cycles available on request

Installation

By the machine manufacturer

More information:* Please select when ordering

The VTC User's Manual (1322445) has
details on the scope of function
VTC software download:www.heidenhain.com > service >downloads > software

4

Product Information: VT 121, VT 122 with VTC    09/2024

Product Information: VT 121, VT 122 with VTC    09/2024

5

Visual tool inspection
All-in-one device: microscope, inspector and tool presetter

Tool measurement on the machine
shortens non-productive times, increasesmachining accuracy and reduces thescrapping and reworking of machinedparts. With the non-contacting VT 121 andVT 122 vision systems you can measure
your tools in their entirety.
The vision systems for tool inspection
consist of two components:• Camera with two objectives (VT 121,VT 122)
• Touch-operated PC software (VTC)
There are two variants of the VT 122:
Either with connections through the baseplate for mounting on a prepared machine,or with lateral connections for variable
cable routing.
The vision systems enable tool imaging
during machining. Besides documenting
tool status and wear, the following
applications are possible as well:• Tool inspection before critical machining
steps• Optimization of cutting parameters• Optimization of NC programs• Breakage detection• Tool inspection after expiration of tool life
As part of the tool inspection, the camera
takes close-up images of each tooth aswell as detailed panoramic images of theentire tool circumference. During inspection with the VTC, the lighting angle canbe varied for these panoramic images,­enabling optimal illumination of individual
teeth. Tools can also be imaged from­below. The VTC can run automaticallyduring unattended shifts (with cycles for
TNC controls). Tools that exceed typicalwear limits are then automatically disabledby the NC cycle.
Tool inspection is performed conveniently
on the control’s display screen. Inspections
can also be performed offline at a later timewith the PC software (requires appropriate
software options).

The vision systems not only help you avoid
expensive damage to the tool, workpiece,
and machine but even the tool costs themselves can be reduced in the long term
through targeted minimization of tool wear.
These are the resulting benefits:• Automated imaging during machining• Time savings through keeping the toolin the machine• Fewer influences on the process, since
the tool does not cool down (such as
during microscope inspection in a lab)
• PC software (can be used on its own forlater inspection)• Compact system usable for even large
tools• Rugged design• Controlled compressed-air cleaning

The VT 121 and VT 122 systems havedesignated probing surfaces for automatedsetup with a touch probe. An imaging cycle
lets you define which views are to be imaged
once the tool has been cleaned. Names
can be assigned to the resulting image
series, allowing you to use the VTC software
for systematic evaluations. Tools with alarge number of teeth are easy to inspect
thanks to an inspection overview feature,
allowing you to navigate through the image
series with a zoom window for greater
detail. This overview allows you to directly
disable tools as needed.

The sealed and highly rugged visionsystems are designed to be installed inside
the machine’s work envelope. They requirecompressed air only during tool clearing
cycles. The vision systems can be employedregardless of whether cooling lubricant isused or dry machining is performed.
Compressed air from the integrated jets
cleans the tools and the cameras' coverglass. An optimal cleaning strategy ensures
removal of nearly all chips. The camera
systems can be connected via their Gigabit
Ethernet interface.

Illustrative video withthe system in action

Tool evaluation with inspection view

6

Product Information: VT 121, VT 122 with VTC    09/2024

Product Information: VT 121, VT 122 with VTC    09/2024

7

Electrical connection

Adapter cable and connecting cables
PUR 4 x (2 x 0.16 mm2)
PUR 6 x (2 x 0.19 mm2); AP = 0.19 mm2¬ 6 mm1)¬ 6.9 mm2)

Adapter cable for camera interface, partiallyin metal armor, 8-pin M12 X-coded coupling(male) and 8-pin RJ45 connector (IP20)–

1313965-xx3)

Connecting cable for power supply, partiallyin metal armor, 12-pin M12 connector (female)and stripped cable end1325985-xx3)–

Connecting cable with 12-pin M12 connector(female) and stripped cable end

801285-xx4)–

Connecting cable with 12-pin M12 connector(female) and 12-pin M12 coupling (male)

1109993-xx4)–1)

Metal armor : 10 mm
Metal armor : 11.1 mm
3)Cable length: 5 m to 30 m
4)
Cable length: 1 m to 20 m
AP: Cross section of power supply lines
2)

Accessories
Mounting

Installation

MaintenanceFixing clamps (included in items supplied)
ID 329454-02• Compressed air inlets: 6 mm (optional)• Power pack
• Compressed air tubing
ID 207881-41 or
ID 207881-42• Metal armor for compressed air tubing• Compressed air filter (optional)• Compressed air valves• Replacement kit with cover glass
for the VT 121 and VT 122ID 1321963-02

DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbH
Dr.-Johannes-Heidenhain-Straße 583301 Traunreut, Germany +49 8669 31-0
 +49 8669 32-5061
info@heidenhain.dewww.heidenhain.com

1324220 · 03 · B · 02 · 09/2024 · PDF

This Product Information document supersedes all previous editions, which thereby
become invalid. The basis for ordering from HEIDENHAIN is always the Product
Information document edition valid when the order is placed.

Further information:
Comply with the requirements described in the following documents to ensure correctand intended operation:• Operating Instructions: VT 121
1322444-xx• Operating Instructions: VT 122
1422124-xx• Brochure: Interfaces of HEIDENHAIN Encoders
1078628-xx