Tool life tracking with tooldata

I noticed there is a section in the Axis demo (configs/sim/axis/db_demo/)  to load the tool database from an external source such as SQlite. Does anyone have an experience with this? It could be a useful options to track tool usage and other metrics.

Not sure how well known it is, or how much development time it has gotten. Looks like it's been around since 2021. 

It is a relatively recent addition. I have no experience with it but here is the documentation (which you may have already found):
linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/tooldatabase/tooldatabase.html

For example, a db_program database application can maintain the operating hours for all tools by tracking each load/unload of a tool. A machine could then have three 6 mm endmills in pockets 111, 112, and 113 with the database application programmed to assign tool number 110 to the 6 mm endmill with the fewest operating hours. Then, when a LinuxCNC program requests tool 110, the database would specify the appropriate pocket based on tool usage history.

I've been reading through it, and I got some code working to interface with the system and load tools from a SQlite database.

I think this is a  useful feature. Here's what I've put together so far, it's still a work in progress and I want to make it work with the database structure from here

wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?ToolDatabase

My branch: 
github.com/spacestate1/linuxcnc/tree/master
 

I know it’s been a couple of years, but since this is the top Google search result for this topic, I’ve finally put something together.

Here is a tool usage track for LinuxCNC  it used the existing tool db api code to get the information it uses.  It does take the place of the current linuxCNC tool table so be aware of this.

It tracks tool usage time (somewhat accurate, +/-3 sec) it's also not super accurate with drilling.

There's also a tool  retirement feature and  tool UID tagging so tool wear and breaks can be tracked.

The attached Debian also contains all the source to build this, and it's MIT so have at it.

INSTRUCTIONS:

 INSTALL THE PACKAGE

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Install with dpkg:
  sudo dpkg -i linuxcnc-db-tool_1.0.0_amd64.deb

This installs:
  /usr/local/bin/db_tool           - Main daemon
  /usr/local/bin/db_tool_manager   - GUI manager
  /usr/local/bin/db_tool_monitor   - GUI viewer
  /usr/local/share/linuxcnc-db-tool/ - Documentation & examples

STEP 3: CONFIGURE LINUXCNC

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Edit your LinuxCNC INI file and add:

  [EMCIO]
  DB_PROGRAM = /usr/local/bin/db_tool /path/to/your/tool_table.tbl

Example:
  [EMCIO]
  DB_PROGRAM = /usr/local/bin/db_tool /home/cnc/linuxcnc/configs/my_mill/tool.tbl

STEP 4: START LINUXCNC

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Start LinuxCNC as normal. The tool database daemon will:
Start automatically
Launch the GUI manager (if enabled)
Begin tracking tool usage

 

can this also be used for sister tools/replacement tools that point to another tool number?

i am interested also in this as i have a large mazak horizontal cnc with a 80 pocket toolchanger and sister tools and tool time tracking will be nice so i will look at this when i get to it. machine is almost running cutting parts so close now

playing around