Sustainable Tool Data Management and Industrie 4.0 go hand in hand. TDM Systems GmbH, leading software developer and process consultant for tool data, has already paved the way for digitalization and networking. The optimizations within TDM Release 4.8 will continue to consistently lead the way from Tool Data toward Tool Lifecycle Management (TLM).

"On the shopfloor, Tool Lifecycle Management is the key element of Industrie 4.0," explains Peter Schneck, Managing Director of TDM Systems. "Our software sits at the interface between planning and the real world of production." TDM Release 4.8 continues further along the path and provides users with a great deal of practically oriented optimizations, a sophisticated basis for their TLM.

The most important innovations at a glance are:

• Multi-tool support in TDM Base Module: Multi-functional tools have multiple cutting edges for different machining purposes. The new TDM version now combines more tool assembly data records with the same bill of materials in a so called multi-tool data record. This allows the specific parameters depending on the application of the respective cutting edge as a single data record to be assigned and simultaneously linked via the multi-tool data record. When searching for tools, it is now possible for users to see the search criteria corresponding to partial data records of a multi-tool displayed as well as the multi-tool data record.
• Data import from MachiningCloud:  For the Internet-based tool database, MachiningCloud TDM V4.8 (hotfix 1) provides a mapping for the import of tool data. This automatically assigns the ISO tool parameters from MachiningCloud to the TDM class/group structure parameters.
• Wireless connection for barcode scanners in TDM Tool Crib module (LGM): In Release 4.8, the interface to the new CASIO scanner DT-200 has been extended so that it can be connected to the system wirelessly. Advantage: All issuing processes are made without caching and offline transmissions via a base station and are transmitted quickly and flexibly to the system. The wireless connection is based on the new TDM V4.8 server and is operated wirelessly by the customer.
• CAM data at a glance: The new menu tab in the tool assembly management shows the CAM programmer at a glance the required tool parameters for his or her CAM system. Depending on the CAM tool class, the programmer sees the associated TDM tool class with the relative graphic parameters and TDM parameter description. Maximum transparency is created through direct comparison.
• Revolve generator for tool assemblies: With version 4.8, users receive even faster and easier solid models, which are compatible to work with the CAM system. Available since V4.6, the Revolve Generator for generating 3D-models from contours of rotationally symmetric items now works also at the tool assembly level.

 TDM Release 4.8 will be available as of November 2015.