Design links with tool management

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 11, 2002

Users of Catia 2 and 3D design and simulation systems can now instantly access and select tooling data from the Walter TDM tool data management system via seamless links between the two packages.

Users of Catia 2 and 3D design and product simulation systems can now instantly access and select tooling data from the Walter TDM tool data management system via seamless links between the two software packages.

The result is that product design times can be minimised through fast and effective tool selection based on real-time tool management data.

By searching Catia's own technology database, the user is presented with the TDM results displayed in the usual Catia search window.

In addition, Catia users can generate three-dimensional drawings of tools from the two-dimensional images held in TDM, and can transfer complete lists of tools required for a specific production routine.

Available from Walter GB of Redditch, TDM ensures that the right tool is in the right place at the right time.

By establishing links with Catia, which runs on Windows NT and Unix operating systems, Walter has effectively developed an end-to-end e-business solution that embraces design and manufacture as well as process planning, stock control, MRP and ERP, for example.

Based on the easy-to-use, user-friendly Windows operating technology, in its most cost-effective form as TDMeasy the software can be installed on a single PC to enable even the smallest company to control and manage its tool planning, tool presetting and stock control, and to cut tool costs by: Reducing tool planning time; minimising tool setup and downtime; Reducing/standardising tool inventories; and having greater control of the tool ordering process.

TDMeasy reduces the amount of time (and therefore money) spent on the tool management process through its graphically-assisted routines that process and present DXF and BMP graphics.

The system is complemented by the Walter Tool catalogue and more than 4000 CAD graphics, and can be easily integrated with other tool catalogues.

TDMeasy provides help functions for the creation of new components/tools (setup sheets and tool lists), and for booking tools and presetting routines.

TDMeasy includes and/or ensures these activities: management of individual tool components, complete tools and lists; variable feature input fields for tools, inspection aids, set-up and clamping facilities; tool selection by graphic.; integrated cutting data organisation, allowing for the cutting data of individual tools to be entered, for future reference and information; checks that ensure the correct assembly of complete tools; and an integrated stock module to manage both the tools carried in stock and the tools in circulation, showing storage location and ordering quantity.

In addition, it monitors the minimum quantity of tools to be stocked.

For tool purchase, TDMeasy records the gross prices as well as agreed discounts.