GPS 2.20 is online

Tübingen, 18 August 2014 – Walter GPS, the world''s most comprehensive recommendation software for metal cutting tools, has seen significant developments since it was launched three years ago. In the new version, GPS 2.20, the tool navigation offers new functions for selecting the right mill, new search options for finding a suitable drill and, in addition to all of this, a product-related search with improved GUI.

Always being able to find the most cost-efficient machining solution on your screen, tablet or even on your smartphone – that is what Walter GPS does. The new 2.20 version of the tool recommendation software is now available online. At the AMB industry trade fair in Stuttgart, Walter''s developers are presenting new functions that come with the server-supported version, which users can start directly on the turning machine at www.walter-tools.com – the only prerequisite is that you have Internet access.

What exactly is new with the Walter GPS 2.20 update?

It contains Walter''s new products for 2014: GPS now also recommends the new, more productive, drilling, threading and milling tools that have been available since spring 2014. Of course, as always, Walter GPS offers an interface to the Walter Tool Shop: Recommended tools are compiled in a wish-list and can be ordered or reordered with just one click.

New functions for milling operations: With recommendations for the best tool for shoulder milling, face milling, milling of closed grooves and pocket milling, Walter GPS covers almost every conceivable milling operation that is carried out in practice. Search queries always begin with the request for the required machining result, i.e. "I''m looking for the most cost-efficient tool for a groove that has the following parameters...". Values for pre-machining or finish machining or for a surface quality that is even more impressive can also be set, for example the RZ roughness value.

New search options for drilling: Recommendations are even more precise because users can choose to search with or without a tolerance for the diameter, with or without a regrind length, or even according to complex pilot-drilling strategies. Walter GPS not only recommends the possible tools, but also the perfect machining strategy, including the cutting data, which can be printed out as a PDF document and can then be entered into the NC program on the turning machines.

Tool-related search available: If a user already has the tool but requires the associated cutting data, Walter has simplified the tool-related search with a new interface and a new structure. This is helpful, for example, when assessing whether a similar tool would be just as suitable for the machining task.

Dr Peter Müller, GPS Project Manager at Walter AG, explains why metal-machining companies should work with the new Walter GPS version 2.20:

Virtual tools are becoming increasingly important: Hardly any production process exists today that does not call upon software at some point. On the contrary – more and more companies are networking their production. Why? The reason for this is that it offers greater transparency throughout the entire process as well as the reproducibility that stems from this, which naturally increases quality and productivity. It goes without saying that the security of the applications is a prerequisite. Software will not replace the machine operator, but should make their work easier. In this regard, Walter GPS is an important building block.

Increased production flexibility: 95 per cent of all users use Walter GPS on a desktop computer or notebook. However, some users also use a tablet or even a smartphone – this is what makes it so flexible. The functions are somewhat limited on the GPS version for small screens. HTML5 – the current leading programming language for mobile devices – is not yet available offline, which would therefore restrict the use of Walter GPS in places that do not have a stable Internet connection.