Users Discuss Tool Data Requirements

This was already the 18th time that the users of TDM's leading tool tracking and data management software came together for their annual Users' Meeting. Attention focused on the preparation and availability of high-quality digital tool data for all aspects of in-plant tool circulation; presentations by customers, partners and TDM employees provided the opportunity for lively discussions.

The Users' Meeting aims to provide information about current topics in tool tracking and data management and to discuss - together with the users - future developments in software: where is there potential for optimization, what trends are recognizable? The large turnout at the annual meeting and the active design of the workshops reflected intense customer interest in TDM software. The variegated presentations focused on what is required from digital tool data and graphics and how to use them to optimum effect in the planning and production processes of a metal-cutting company; in addition, new product and service concepts were presented by the company partners Sandvik Coromant and Walter.

Digital Tool Library with Simulation Data
Mats Allard, Manager of Virtual Machining at Sandvik Coromant, presented a software innovation to the TDM Users: Tool Library Services, or 'TLS' for short. TLS is designed to support planning personnel concretely with the required data, graphic images and know-how: tool geometries, cutting parameters, application know-how, tool graphics in 2D and 3D. The data is made available in a digital tool library for CAD/CAM applications and simulation processes. Final touches on the software are planned for mid-2011. The Library is designed to store not only Sandvik Coromant tool data but also that of other tool makers.

MES, TDM, and Increased Productivity
For Gunter Berthold of FORCAM Company's Technical Sales Team, companies can increase their efficiency only as part of a Total Productivity Management (TPM) system. ERP planning (CAD/CAM) stands on the one side, order entries, including the "MRP" process, on the other. These two worlds collide in the production area and must be coordinated with each other. FORCAM's MES software and TDM V4 have an interface which allows them to prepare the required information and make it available for every type of production order: the worker receives all information required for each production order.

3D Tool Data Requirements
Thomas Mücke, Project Manager at TDM Systems, talked about the technical requirements of tool data and about how to make the most effective use of 3D tool data in CAM and simulation systems. The challenge here is that there are many different CAM systems supporting various digital file formats and requiring a wide array of parameters; in addition, information exchange may take place via different interface technologies. The solution, according to Thomas Mücke, can only be a common basis of data, which can be build up and maintained by software solutions from TDM Systems.

Digital Production at Festo: Not without TDM!
Thomas Stanzl, responsible for production application systems at Festo AG, is another person who sees a continuous flow of data and information as the prerequisite for efficient production. When introducing a new CAD system (PTC's Pro/E), Festo simultaneously switched to the current TDM software version. In his presentation on "Digital Production in Combination with SAP" he demonstrated how it is possible to link the ordering and planning levels together.

Walter Multiply - More Productivity With Service Concepts
Walter Multiply, Walter AG's new service concept, is based on a plurality of service modules that optimize the productivity of customers. And TDM software supports the Multiply modules. Important here above all is optimized tool and crib organization and dispensing. Michael Schneider, Director of Services & Engineering at Walter AG, explained to the TDM Users the possibilities offered by optimized tool crib management in combination with a tool dispensing cabinet and TDM software.

What is the TDMclub?

International TDM-user join the TDMclub. Goal of the club is the continous exchange of experience in using TDM. Furthermore, TDM-user learn about product news and trends of the TDM software development. Finally, club members can influence the further development of TDM with their ideas.