Tool management in the context of the serial production

Abstract

A tool management system can be defined as an organized tools database, which can interact with other data banks of the system to provide means of optimising production costs and processes. This study looks at the basic principles of tool management in the context of serial production. Considering the hypothesis that the idea of design software should be preceded by perfect understanding of the system that interrelates the object of the administration in the extension of its complexity. After that, the system manages the way that departments such as Planning Engineering, Production, logistics (reception, storage, distribution, etc), and purchasing relate themselves in the context of execution of the corporative objectives: costs, quality, agility and readiness of the information. Some illustrations and equations would be analysed as well as the main variables involved which must be considered to validate the efficiency of the system. Also procedures used to develop the tool management system as well as some practical demonstrations used on the shop floor is considered.