Patent ID: 6857177

Claim:
A presetting system for accurately presetting the position of a tool within a shrink-fit tool holder, with said presetting occurring in a relatively rapid manner, with a relatively short operating cycle time per tool, said presetting system comprising: means for generating designation signals indicative of designations of specific ones of said tool and said tool holder to be used for a specific presetting process cycle; means for generating set length signals indicative of an appropriate set length for said designated tool and tool holder; presetter shrink-fit apparatus responsive to said designation signals and to said set length signals for presetting the position of said designated tool within said designated tool holder, said apparatus comprising: stop means; depth set means for positioning said stop means relative to said designated tool holder, so as to provide a physical abutment for said designated tool; clamping means for holding said tool holder in an appropriate position within said shrink-fit apparatus; a heating assembly utilized to heat and provide thermal expansion of said designated tool holder; and a cooler assembly utilized to cool said designated tool holder.