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There is a Way to Digitize Cutting Tool Data. But is There a Will?


I


t’s 2016, so it shouldn’t be true that CAD/CAM program- mers and tooling engineers manually search through many disparate sources to fi nd their cutting tools. But that is the case. It also shouldn’t be true today that CAD/CAM programmers and tooling engineers spend even more time obtaining the prod- uct data needed for their CNC machines and CAD/CAM software. But that is the gospel truth. Calling sales representatives and sifting through catalogs and websites to pick tooling and confi gure tool assemblies is ineffi cient. This tradition is dying hard. But it must go if we want to remain globally competitive. Productivity and the chain of production at every level in important end markets like aerospace, automotive and medi- cal devices are negatively impacted by the old slog of fi nding, selecting, and assembling cutting tools. One answer is the Generic Tool Catalog (GTC) format, which helps link cutting tool information with applications that support data-driven manufacturing. Cutting tool manufactur- ers worked together to create it.


GTC complements ISO 13399, which was created to


standardize the cutting tool data representation and exchange. GTC goes a step further by classifying the data in a logical hierarchy and adding additional data that CAD/CAM program- mers need, such as graphical icons, pictures and 3D models. MachiningCloud is a vendor-neutral application made possible through the GTC standard. CAD/CAM programmers use the app to fi nd, select and assemble tools. The multi-brand app takes the guesswork out of tool selection so programmers can quickly make smarter tooling decisions. To date, end users have built over a half million tool assemblies for over 100,000 different jobs. They report time savings of 25–75% compared with traditional methods of paper catalogs, manufacturers’ websites and telephone calls. People who have used MachiningCloud say they can easily fi nd the right cutting tools, quickly create cutting tool


Chuck Mathews


Managing Director & Cloud Evangelist MachiningCloud Inc.


assemblies, improve cutting tools job management and reporting, and simplify the CNC cutting tool workfl ow with direct access to product data and speeds and feeds. CAD/CAM programmers want direct access to tooling data, but they aren’t always heard.


With the GTC standard, a digital marketplace for cutting tools is possible, but cutting tool companies need to get on board.


Digital tool catalog availability is a major concern because cutting tool manufacturers aren’t all completely on board. A digital marketplace for cutting tools is possible with the GTC standard, but an application’s usefulness requires cutting tool manufacturers’ participation. Manufacturers must come together to make their product data consistent and available on a small number of comple- mentary platforms—connected to the CAD/CAM software each particular shop chooses to use.


As brands digitize their tooling catalogs and software integrations are developed using the ISO/GTC standards, neutral platforms like MachiningCloud become indispensable to end-users and the entire industry benefi ts. Certainly, any manufacturer planning to hire in the future understands the need to digitize data. Can you imagine what anyone coming out of college today would think about a system stuck in the 1980s? And it should be an easy sell for current employees who want to remain marketable. Even for those who are nearing retirement, digitizing data is a way for them to record their knowledge and leave it for the next generation to absorb. While many brands are talking about developing digital catalogs, very few have their digital catalogs readily avail- able for their customers. Look for that to happen in the next 12–24 months.


31 — Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing 2016


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