Developing a harmonised data model for precision tools

Related Vendors

HASCO Hasenclever GmbH + Co KG

BORIDE Engineered Abrasives

DIPROFIL Diamantprodukter AB

CIMSOURCE Aachen GmbH

The basic idea is to collect the required tool data as a by-product of the product development process (PDP) and/or the catalogue generation process (CGP). Given the fact that all product data must be available to execute these processes and to then manufacture the respective tools, this idea does not sound too ambitious. The other idea is to use standards for the data transfer to the customers.

No single standard to be used

However, the departments involved in PDP and CGP tend to use domain-specific software and thereby create domain-specific data. The same holds true for standards. Step is well established in the CAD world, accompanied JT (now also an ISO standard) and the de-facto standard, DXF. When it comes to product data, DIN 4000 and DIN 4003 are used to describe cutting tools. ISO 13399, meanwhile, deserves mention on an international level. eClass/BMEcat are relevant in the e-procurement domain. To make a long story short: There is no single standard to be used.

The project approach is to pick the most suitable data from each domain and harmonise it into a consistent data model. The data requirements are derived from the most popular CAM systems and simulation packages. These requirements are mirrored against the standards mentioned above and the data model of Tools United, at the time the most comprehensive, supplier-independent database of cutting tools. If voids are detected in the current standards, meaningful changes will be addressed by the relevant standardisation committees. On the operational level, the data model of Tools United will be extended appropriately to serve as a pool for the data collection.

The search for suitable data sources relies on a review of the operational software systems in the PDG and CGP process. It is no surprise that Step files proved to be a main data source for geometric properties “fed” by the design department. Commercial properties, article numbers and assortment classification may all be found in the PLM and/or the ERP system. In some cases, PIM systems that are run by a separate content management department exist.

Rough and tough - high-efficiency roughing versus high-speed roughing

The extraction of the required information from Step files is currently the main challenge for Co Co Deal. The problem is that the CAD systems do not generate consistent Step files. In some cases, even the most basic properties are lost during the generation of the Step file. The connection points required by DIN 4003 are yet another challenge. Without these connection points, the tool components of a supplier cannot be assembled by the users’ CAM system.

However, as the Co Co Deal project is only in its first year, the partners are optimistic about reaching their goal: The harmonised data model, the software modules for data extraction and the pilot implementation process for a content delivery server are expected to be ready by mid-2018.

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