Big data in metalcutting

This data, says Big Blue, comes from everywhere: sensors used to gather climate information, posts to social media sites, digital pictures and videos, purchase transaction records and cell phone GPS signals, to name a few. This data is big data. A lot of companies are looking for value in big data – spotting patterns, trends, desires. But it looks like big data, albeit in somewhat smaller fashion, is coming to metalcutting. At the 10th Tool Conference in Schmalkalden, Thuringia, Germany, last year (full report), a system using telemetry to acquire tool status during metalcutting was highlighted. This supports real-time communication, with a view to monitoring the process. Okay, process monitoring isn't new, but German automotive industry-focused cutting tool maker Komet is talking about taking this further, effectively introducing a 'big data' type scenario under the tool management heading. Komet managing director Dr Ing. Christof W Bönsch explains: "What I mean by tool management is complete coverage; acquisition of all relevant data over a tool's entire useful lifetime." Sensors are used to transmit data, with this linked to a specific tool identified by barcode or some such. The data is stored in the 'cloud' (connected remote server). The goal is a cloud with a mass of process and tool data, serving as a foundation for a huge knowledge database, resting on statistical underpinnings. This will provide dependable responses to tool behaviour during operation or identify the nature of any machine malfunctions. And the more data is collected, the more reliable this system becomes, it is said. "Monitoring the system enables the fingerprint of a process to be created, with this then used to implement a self-learning production process," says Dr Bönsch. Some initial developments will be on show at the forthcoming EMO in Hanover (16-21 September). Komet's top man again: "We shall be exhibiting some initial mock-ups for the issues concerned, addressing specific customer job profiles. The major issues being covered in this context are assistance systems for communalising metalcutting processes and cloud-based tool management as an on-demand application." First published in Machinery, March 2013