Where Were the Counters of Cutting Tools?

The Importance of Data About Cutting Tools

At IMTS 2014, I almost didn't recognize the Sandvik Coromant booth in the Cutting Tool Pavilion. There were only a few counters and tabletop exhibits of new cutting tool products on display. The focus of the booth was clearly on presentations about new ways to gather, apply and leverage data about cutting tools. Wide, open spaces were needed for these presentations.

I did a similar double-take in the Kennametal booth. Kiosks with computer screens outnumbered the shiny counters with a raise of new cutting tool products. The main focus in this booth was clearly on cloud-based resources for accessing critical cutting tool data.

No doubt the booth displays of other cutting tool manufactures may have had indicated a similar shift in their marketing strategy as well.

This shift is significant because it is clear evidence that the concept of data-driven manufacturing is becoming a reality. It also signifies that cutting tool data will be at the center of this revolution.

This development is entirely logical and compelling, for the simple reason that the physical cutting tool is the center point around which every metal removal process revolves. How well the cutting tool performs ultimately determines the success or failure of every machining operation.

This reality makes information about the cutting tool of extreme importance. The cutting tool manufacturers know this. The means to convey the best, latest and most complete information about cutting tools to manufacturers in a readily deployable format promises to unlock the potential for higher productivity, cost-effectiveness and improved quality across the board.

For example, cutting tool data is the key to better CNC tool paths in CAM programming and simulation. Data about cutting tool performance is critical to effective machine monitoring and measurements of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Cutting tool data integrates the tool supplier, the tool crib, the tool presetter, the CNC and the ERP system.

Key developments are making the value of cutting tool data prominent. These include the development of cloud-based networking, new standards such as ISO 13399 and MTConnect that promote interoperability and connectivity for cutting tool data applications, Big Data analytics, sensor technology and Wi-Fi capability, to name a few.

If the essence of data-driven manufacturing is a move away from decision-making based on guesswork, wishful thinking, unproven theories or emotion, to decision-making based on facts and figures, measurements and monitoring, mathematical calculations and scientific analysis, then the cutting manufacturers are clearly leading the way.