uts: tool management

The following is required for the successful development of a project to automate tool management at a mechanical workshop:

• The powerful UTS framework, which can provide basic functions that can be personalised according to customer requirements to optimise tool management, reduce tooling times and reduce machine stoppages due to the equipment used.

• STAIN’s specific experience acquired in over 10 years developing successful projects for leading businesses.

• Advice on how to develop a project that can create value for the business, using STAIN’s proven method, which starts with a detailed analysis of the existing situation and goes on to develop a solution using framework functions to handle each company’s specific requirements in terms of logistics processes.

The main functions are:

• Identification and tracking of individual instruments (tools, clamps, spindles, inserts, etc.) to allow real-time verification of their status (in store, in production, being sharpened, awaiting reconditioning, scrapped, etc.) and location (on the machine, in the warehouse, at presetting, etc.).

• Automation of the tooling data sheet. For each article/machine, engineering establishes a cycle sheet associated with the part drawing, which can be displayed in the field, thereby eliminating the need for distributing paper drawings, the part programme reference with centralized control of the versions, a list of the tools, spindles and inserts required for machining the part, and a series of notes useful for the operator during machining.

• Tool preparation. The toolman must prepare the tools required for each article on the production order, in accordance with the production plan. The system knows the cycle sheet associated with the list of the tools and spindles to get ready. It displays the quantity of each tool type available and its residual life. When the operator enters a tool code, the system calculates the number required for the production order and compares it with the tool’s residual life. If this is less than that required for the number to be made, the system tells the operator to prepare a spare tool, thereby avoiding stoppages due to a lack of tools.

• Automatic correction of part programmes for machining an article on a transfer/CNC machine based on the presetting values, which are acquired automatically by interfacing with standard presetting machines.

• Automatic reordering of end-of-life equipment, based on job orders imported from the management system.

• Tool supplier assessment and a comparison of the tool’s stated life and actual life.

• Computerized control of corrective actions involving the tooling and equipment.