HEIDENHAIN VT 121 Tool Inspection Camera System
The HEIDENHAIN VT 121 is a compact camera system for visual tool inspection inside a machine tool's work envelope. Two non-contact cameras image tools from the side and from below, supporting close-up inspection of individual flutes, manual wear checks and tool-breakage control while the tool remains clamped in the spindle.
Technical Data
- Model: VT 121
- ID number: 1249466-01
- Cameras: two 1.3-megapixel monochrome cameras
- Lighting: ring light and lateral LED on each camera, adjustable through software
- Image size: 8 mm × 10 mm
- Operating distance: 20.5 mm
- Supply voltage: 19.2 V to 30 V, EN 61131-2
- Power connection: 12-pin A-coded M12 flange socket, male
- Camera interface: Gigabit Ethernet, CAT 6 or later
- Camera connection: 8-pin X-coded M12 flange socket, female
- Maximum cable length: 25 m with the specified cable
- Connection placement: on the rear
- Protection: IP66/IP68 when connected
- Mass: approximately 1.00 kg
- Operating temperature: 0 °C to 45 °C
- Mounting: fixing clamps
- Cleaning: 8 mm compressed-air inlet for pulse cleaning of the tool and cover lenses; two 6 mm inlets are optional
Inspection and machine integration
The camera system operates with Visual Tool Check software and the appropriate machine-control cycles. Standard software functions include tool images from the side and below, close-up images of each flute, manual wear measurement and breakage control. Panoramic imaging and automated flank-wear measurement are options, not standard hardware features.
VT 121 is intended for visual inspection. Select VT 122 when tool-length or tool-diameter measurement is required, because VT 122 has an additional measuring LED. Software, control compatibility, mounting space, compressed air and installation requirements must be confirmed for the machine. This page covers the VT 121 camera hardware; it does not imply that software or control options are included.
Documents
VT 121 and VT 122 product information, September 2025 (PDF)
Machine down? Ask about expedited repair or replacement options. Include the camera ID and machine details so we can identify the correct replacement.