Tool management

Citation

(2003), "Tool management", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 75 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2003.12775cab.009

Tool management

Tool management

Recent enhancements to Walter GB's TDM Tool Data Management product range is said to reinforce the market position of the software that provides companies of every size with the confidence that the right tool is in the right place at the right time and, as a result it is claimed to:

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  reduce planning times by up to 35 per cent;

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  minimise machine set-up costs by up to 30 per cent;

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  cut downtimes by up to 80 per cent;

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  reduce the variety of tools in use and, therefore, reduces stock requirements and gains cost savings of up to 30 per cent in the bargain; and

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  effectively control and manage orders, again reducing costs.

The new capabilities of TDM version 4.0 include an overlay that is in-line with the current Windows standard and makes child's play of operating functions such as clipping, copying and inserting. Users can adapt the overlay to their own special requirements.

TDM 4.0 also features an integrated explorer bar that clearly presents all modules, and with the "viewer" (a graphic indicator) both 2- and 3-D tool graphics can be displayed – with the 3-D graphics being delivered to existing simulation systems through integrated interfaces.

The latest developments complement TDM's existing integrated modules for:

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  planning – for the management of tool components and complete assemblies;

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  technology – cutting data via the Tool Light functionality;

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  tool crib – cost centre management of tool stocks as well as tools in use;

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  measuring products organisation – an essential component of any QA system, the module can be applied to every measuring/inspection device to meet the requirements of DIN ISO 9000-9004;

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  ordering – based on purchasing proposals generated by stock control;

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  CAD – TDM integrates with AutoCAD, BravoDetail and Imagineer;

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  tool circulation – dialogue specifically designed to support production in terms of tool commissioning, assembly and presetting;

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  bar code – for the efficient and effective management of a large number of tool movements; and

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  pre-setting – tool assemblies and master data can be sent directly to pre-setting equipment.

Designed for small to medium-sized users, TDMeasy version 3.1 claims a lot of new capabilities, among them is an integrated AutoCAD interface that enables users to quickly change from TDMeasy to AutoCAD LT, and to easily produce/modify graphics.

TDMeasy 3.1 also supports online database access to the toolsetting devices from Kelch and Zoller.

A user-friendly Function Assistant module accompanies the user constantly throughout the software, ensuring the user is quickly familiar with every operation while, for example, creating new components/complete tools, creating orders, checking orders in/out and adding new items to stock as well as tool measurement.

In addition to being integrated with the complete Walter Tool Catalogue, which contains more than 4,000 CAD graphics, both TDM and TDMeasy can interface with catalogues from other suppliers.

The just-released myTDM.com can be used as an Intranet-based add-on to Windows-based TDM systems. myTDM.com is a "view system" with direct access to the TDM database and uses an Intranet to deliver tool data information to all relevant departments of a company.

Photos as well as 2- and 3-D graphics can be presented and the data can be delivered to simulation systems.

Details available from: Walter GB Limited. Tel: +44 (0)1527 60281; Web site: www.walter-ag.de