Tooling Digitalization: Applications

The tooling digitalization during the whole supply chain is vital for maximizing productivity, improving operational efficiency, and minimizing downtime. But how and with what tools?

The tooling sector is rapidly evolving through innovations from key players like Spanflug, Tool Place, and Kistler. They are enhancing tooling digitalization, from design to maintenance. This chapter of the tooling digitalization series highlights significant milestones achieved by these three companies as models for the necessary digital transformation.

You can also read: Digital Twin in Manufacturing and Beyond

Spanflug: Automation and Digital Manufacturing Workflow

Spanflug, a German-based company, has revolutionized the digital tooling landscape with its platform for CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining. By offering an automated system for quoting and manufacturing, Spanflug addresses a critical aspect of tooling: the design and production of custom tools.

• Solution for manufacturers and customers: Spanflug offers Spanflug BUY, enabling customers to order custom turned and milled parts online with instant quotes and fast delivery via network of 6,000 CNC machines. And Spanflug MAKE, a free platform for contract manufacturers to digitize processes and enhance production capacity.
• Instant Quoting and Manufacturing: Spanflug automates the quoting process, allowing engineers to instantly generate quotes from 3D CAD models using AI and data-driven algorithms. This accelerates decision-making and helps tooling manufacturers respond quickly to production deadlines.
• Streamlined Digital Tooling Production: The platform integrates seamlessly with CNC machine shops, digitizing the workflow from design upload to delivery. This reduces human error, speeds up production, and enhances quality.
• Data-Driven Production Insights: Spanflug provides insights into production performance, allowing manufacturers to track job progress, machine efficiency, and material usage, which fosters continuous improvement.

You can also read: The Future of Plastics: The Vision, Chapter 1 of 3

Tool Place: Real-Time Tool Purchasing Process

Toolplace was established in 2022 to tackle the challenges of the plastics industry, where specialized small companies face costly and time-consuming supplier searches. With reliance on rare technical specialists and pressures like cost control, skilled labor shortages, and shorter time-to-market demands, the industry requires more efficient solutions. Toolplace seeks to streamline the supplier search and procurement process, enabling companies to navigate these challenges more effectively.

• Supplier Search and Matching: TOOLPLACE provides an efficient platform for quickly locating specialized suppliers in the plastics industry. With a technological audit and matching algorithm, users can find suitable suppliers in just a few clicks, significantly reducing search time. On the other hand, suppliers can get direct access to potential and existing customers.
• Technological Audit for Suppliers: Suppliers undergo a comprehensive technological audit during onboarding, ensuring that only qualified suppliers are listed in the TOOLPLACE database. This process provides customers with reliable and relevant options.
• Digital Procurement Solution: TOOLPLACE features a digital procurement solution that streamlines the tool procurement process, saving users 4-5 hours per project request. This is particularly beneficial for companies managing numerous requests annually.
• Collaboration and Cost Optimization: TOOLPLACE enables collaboration with existing suppliers while offering access to a diverse supplier pool. This flexibility allows customers to explore various tool prices, delivery times, and technical solutions, increasing the chances of successful project implementation.

Kistler: Precision and Tool Monitoring

Kistler has long been known for its expertise in sensor technology and process monitoring, which are critical in modern digital manufacturing environments and to close the loop getting the data to analize, track and forecast the tool assets. Its advances in sensor-based monitoring for tooling, particularly in high-precision applications, are setting new standards in tool performance and maintenance.

• Sensor-Driven Monitoring Systems: Kistler’s sensor technology enables real-time monitoring of cutting tools during the tool machining process. Their sensors are capable of measuring critical parameters such as force, torque, temperature, and vibration. These real-time insights allow manufacturers to monitor and detect potential tool failures before arising of machine or workpiece damage.
• Process Optimization: Kistler integrates real-time data into a digital platform, allowing manufacturers to optimize tooling processes. Analyzing data from sensors helps identify inefficiencies and offers actionable insights for improving tool performance. This is important in precision industries like aerospace and automotive, where minor performance deviations can lead to significant quality issues.
• Predictive Maintenance and Tool Health: Kistler’s predictive maintenance capabilities enhance tool longevity by continuously monitoring tool health. The system can forecast tool failures and maintenance needs, enabling manufacturers to schedule maintenance proactively and avoid costly downtime. By ensuring tools operate at peak performance, Kistler reduces the risk of defective parts and improves overall production efficiency.

To read more: Industry 4.0 in Injection Molding

This is not the history end…

Spanflug, Tool Place, and Kistler show a clear trend. They highlight the merging of tooling digitalization management systems. Companies are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. A fully connected, self-optimizing tooling environment is closer than ever. However, we must discuss the challenges ahead. These challenges are vital for your transformation journey, that’s why I’m inviting you to read the next article for more insights.

To read more: Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda