Three projects, three goals
Walter was still running the 2012 version of Siemens NX together with an older TDM tool management software from 2006 and several custom-built solutions. However, in order to take maximum gain of all new machinery that was going about to be introduced, the first step was to future proof the entire IT environment before upgrading the production environment. This not only meant upgrading to the latest NX-version and the latest TDM solution but also moving the application into the cloud. Apart from the production environment, the systems for sales, R&D and product development were also upgraded, and a separate test environment was created.
The overall initiative focused on three major areas:
- Standardizing the TDM–CAM Interface
- Making Tool Data CAM-Ready
- Migrating to Microsoft Azure Cloud
Streamlining the CAM interface
The existing CAM integration had grown historically and no longer met the requirements of the newest Siemens NX version. Working together, the teams from Walter and TDM Systems streamlined the entire process: they reduced custom configurations, unified the integration, and prepared the interface for future needs.
The system landscape transition was carried out in a single cutover in summer 2025, as the Walter team wanted to keep production disruption as short as possible.Thanks to the excellent cooperation with TDM and preparation the entire operation went extremely smooth. “During the same period, we also had to upgrade our Windows environment to Windows 11, which naturally posed an additional challenge,” laughs Philipp Kränzle, IT Application Manager, Walter AG.
By creating a separate test environment, new features and applications can now be tried out safely without taking risks with the ‘big’ system before rolling them out company wide. And where in the past this had to be done system by system, this can now be achieved in seconds with a single mouse click.
Data project: Tool data now CAM-ready
Modern tool management requires and generates a lot more data. This goes way beyond the ‘where is this tool in our inventory’. It now includes wear and maintenance data, calibration, but also if the forces applied to the tool exceed parameters and need adjusting. This meant that the existing tool data had to be adapted to the requirements of the new NX version.
Although the correct setup and structuring of the database is crucial for a good digital tool management system, manufacturing companies often lack sufficient capacity and expertise in tool and data management. Digital tool data maintenance in particular poses a challenge for many companies. This is exactly where TDM Systems' services for data preparation, initial database population and data migration come into play – with digitization tools that ensure greater transparency, control and productivity in the manufacturing process, regardless of whether a customer is new to the TDM system or simply wants to optimize their existing tool data management.
“If we had decided to update and convert this tool data ourselves it would have taken an eternity, says Harry Scherer, Global Tools Director, Walter AG. “In an extensive data project, TDM data experts revised and updated around 3,000 items. Based on this foundation, more than 5,200 ready-to-use digital tool assemblies were created, true digital twins with parameters that meet all Siemens NX requirements, including newly built 3D models. Every dataset was systematically tested, cleaned, and structured. The result: a high-performance, stable, and standardized CAM workflow across the company.”
Migration to Microsoft Azure Cloud
Walter AG became the first tooling manufacturer within the Sandvik Machining Group to move its complete TDM environment to the Azure Cloud. This included the full separation of test and production environments, modernization of the server landscape and a transparent new release and update strategy. The migration improved performance, reduced complexity, and lowered both costs and maintenance efforts. “In fact, the cloud migration proved to be a key building block, adds Philipp Kränzle, IT Application Manager at Walter AG. “We’re more scalable, more secure, and can test all updates in a controlled environment.”
Real benefits thanks to future proofing
“The future proofing is an absolute necessity for Walter to remain competitive in the global market,” explains Harry Scherer, Global Tools Director, Walter AG. “The benefits we have already seen from of the upgrade are significant. Total lead time, from design to final product, has been significantly reduced, tooling cost have gone down by 5%, while we are also saving a lot of time when implementing new updates. In addition, thanks to all sites using the same software and data, it is way easier to share last-minute production orders if one location is already working at full capacity. As all parameters and settings are equal across the board, we are a lot more flexible when it comes to supporting our customers.”
With the project now completed, Walter is better positioned in tool data management and CAM programming, with state-of-the-art TDM and IT infrastructure, standardized, efficient CAM process with CAM-ready tool data, scalable performance through Azure Cloud, transparent update processes backed by a dedicated test environment. This provides a solid foundation for further optimizations and digitalization initiatives.
This project clearly demonstrates what’s possible when experts from IT, CAM, and tool data management join forces - and have the courage to turn a simple “update” into a real upgrade. A key success factor was the pragmatic, and hands-on collaboration between the Walter AG and TDM Systems teams. From data analysis to interface optimization to cloud migration - every work package was planned, tested, and refined jointly.
Objectives:
- Comprehensive system update of the TDM system and the Siemens NX CAM interface
- Migration of the application to the Azure Cloud
- Replacement of Citrix with Azure Virtual Desktop
- Update and standardization of the data structure and the interface to Siemens NX
- Revision of 5,000 digital tool assemblies
Process innovations:
- Optimal system management through the implementation of a test and production environment
- High data quality through standardized and NX-compliant data
- Global transparency and standardization
- Future-proof and scalable IT infrastructure
- Faster updates and rollouts
- Standardized, stable, and end-to-end CAM workflow
