Tool Pre-Setting Best Practices: Speroni, Zoller, Heidenhain

Pre-setting tools offline saves 5-15 minutes per setup and eliminates touch-off errors. Here is how to choose a presetter.

Why Pre-Set?

• Set tool length and diameter while machine cuts previous job
• Catch damaged tools before they enter spindle
• Verify geometry vs CAM model
• Eliminate manual touch-off (faster, more consistent)

Major Presetter Brands

Zoller

German precision specialist.

• Smile series — Entry-level, $15-25k
• Venturion series — Production, $30-60k
• Genius 3 — Premium with full automation, $80-150k
• Accuracy: ±2 µm typical

Speroni

Italian, popular for machining centers.

• Magis II — Entry, $12-18k
• Futura — Production, $25-50k
• Stella — Premium with full vision, $60-120k

Heidenhain

German precision instrument maker, presetters integrated with their CNC.

• Best for shops with Heidenhain TNC controls
• Direct data transfer to controller via DNC

Renishaw NC4 / Blum LaserControl

On-machine systems (not standalone presetters).

• Touches/scans tool with probe in machine
• Verifies length and breakage during cycle
• $3-15k installed

Capabilities to Look For

• Image processing — Vision system measures tool optically
• Manual + automatic mode — Manual for one-off, auto for batches
• Tool data export — Direct to CNC via DNC, RFID, or barcode
• Tool inspection — Wear measurement, edge condition
• Profile measurement — Form tools, thread profiles, special geometries

Integration with CNC

Modern presetters can transfer tool data to:

• Fanuc DNC over RS-232 or Ethernet
• Siemens 840D direct interface
• Heidenhain TNC native integration
• RFID chips on tool holders (read at machine)
• Barcode print + manual scan at machine

ROI Calculation

Average shop with 10 setups/day saving 8 minutes per setup = 80 min/day = 33 hours/month.

At $150/hour shop rate = $5,000/month savings = $25k presetter pays back in 5-6 months.

Accuracy You Need

Browse our precision measurement tools.