DESC:A TOOL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a field of managing industrial tools, and in particular, the present subject matter discloses a tool management system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Traditionally, manufacturing industries are highly dependent on efficient management of tools as it provides a way to effectively monitor tools and equipment used. Further, it helps to ensure that tools and equipment are being used properly and are in good condition, allowing for a higher degree of safety and efficiency. Additionally, it ensures that the organization is able to track and manage tools and equipment more effectively, and carry out repair of tools when required without hampering production and other associated process.
[0003] In an existing arrangement, calibration and health monitoring of tools are being performed manually, where typically a supplier or a customer would request calibration and health check of a particular tool after a predetermined time/running cycle or upon facing issues for same. The status of tool shall be checked thereafter, followed by a repair or replacement, as per requirement.
[0004] However, manual calibration and health monitoring process of one or more tools is very cumbersome, especially, for a medium or large manufacturing industries. This is due to the fact that these type of industries operates with a large number of tools and in absence of automatic tracking and periodic evaluation, efficient handling and management of tools becomes very difficult and also results into waste of time, money and resource.
[0005] Towards this direction, the present invention intends to resolve the above mentioned limitations and propose a tool management system that is able to calibrate and monitor health of tools in a more efficient manner.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for a solution to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present subject matter, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed below.
[0008] It is a general or primary object of the present subject matter to provide a tool management system that facilitates real time monitoring of health status of tools from both supplier end and customer end.
[0009] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the tool management system that is able to automatically initiate periodic calibration of tools.
[0010] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the tool management system that is equipped with an alerting unit to notify end users regarding periodic calibration and life of tools.
[0011] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the tool management system that is able to ensure timely repair, replacement and/or life extension of tools as per requirement.
[0012] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the tool management system that is able to store every operation performed on each tool in a dedicated database
[0013] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the tool management system that is simple to design and is also user friendly in nature.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0015] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a method implemented by a Tool Management System (TMS) for managing one or more industrial tools. The method includes receiving, by a reception unit, at a primary user interface tool usage data associated with the one or more industrial tools via a communication device. The method includes comparing, by a monitoring unit, the tool usage data with pre-stored data associated with the one or more industrial tools, present in a memory. The method includes determining, by the monitoring unit, that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated upon comparing the tool usage data and the pre-stored data. The method includes generating, by an alerting unit, an alert on via the user interface to notify an administrator to perform a calibration of the one or more tools.
[0016] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a Tool Management System (TMS) for managing one or more industrial tools. The TMS includes a reception unit configured to receive at a primary user interface tool usage data associated with the one or more industrial tools via a communication device. The TMS includes a monitoring unit configured to compare the tool usage data with pre-stored data associated with the one or more industrial tools, present in a memory, and determine that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated upon comparing the tool usage data and the pre-stored data. The TMS includes an alerting unit configured to generate an alert on via the user interface to notify an administrator to perform a calibration of the one or more tools.
[0017] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0019] Figure 1 discloses an exemplary tool management system for maintenance of tools of automotive parts in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0020] Figure 2 discloses exemplary components of the tool management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0021] Figure 3 depicts an example tool management method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0022] Figure 4 illustrates an operational flow diagram depicting a process for managing one or more industrial tools, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0023] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram depicting a method for managing one or more industrial tools, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present subject matter as defined by the appended claims.
[0025] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0026] Figure 1 discloses an exemplary architecture of a tool management system 100 for monitoring and maintenance of tools of automotive parts in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. In an aspect, the tool management system 100, referred to as a system 100 hereafter, communicates with a communicating device 120-4 through one or more networks 120-1. The system 100 may be further configured to transmit information to a central server 120-2 through the one or more networks 120-1, where the central server 120-2 stores information in a database 120-3. Herein, the one or more communication network 120-1 may include, but is not limited to, 2G network, 3G network, 4G network, LTE network, 5G network, 6G network, and so forth.
[0027] Figure 2 discloses exemplary components of the system 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. The tool management system 100, referred to as a system 100 hereafter, can be a hardware component or a cloud computing system capable of executing instructions and may be equipped, with microprocessor(s), memory, input/output (I/O) interface, and other features required for facilitating management of tool and take appropriate measures to monitor health status of tools for the end users.
[0028] In an aspect, the system 100 may comprise of a processing device 108, where the processing device 108 is equipped with three different units, namely, a reception unit 108-1, a monitoring unit 108-2 and an alerting unit 108-3.
[0029] In an aspect, the reception unit 108-1 receives unique identification details of one or more tools as provided by a primary user interface. The primary user interface receives unique identification code (ID) of the one or more tools, status of periodic calibration, and previous calibration details and fetches same to a memory 104 of the system 100. The memory 104 transmits same to the reception unit 108-1 on obtaining request of information for one or more particular tool that is to be monitored. A secondary user interface, on the other hand, is configured to receive certain details and features of one or more tool periodically, which includes and is not limited to current status of the one or more tool, number of calibrations made, upcoming calibration date and repair data of the one or more tool. The secondary user interface is further configured to fetch this information to the reception unit 108-1 upon request.
[0030] In an aspect, the monitoring unit 108-2 is connected to the reception unit 108-1 and is configured to periodically compare the calibration data provided by the reception unit 108-1 with respect to the data fetched by the primary user interface into the reception unit 108-1. The monitoring unit 108-2 transmits signal to the alerting unit 108-3 if calibration is not completed in time or one or more tool is unhealthy. If on the other hand, calibration of one or more tool has been performed as per timeline, the monitoring unit 108-2 updates the memory 104 of the same.
[0031] In an aspect, the monitoring unit 108-2 is further configured to receive inputs from the communicating device 120-4 in order to analyse health status of the one or more tool, which includes but is not limited to three cases, i.e. the one or more tool is in good condition, the one or more tool is in an early deteriorating stage or the one or more tool is damaged or life has been completed and needs replacement. In another case if tool has completed its life but still in condition to work, the life of the tool may be further extended. The inputs provided by the communicating device 120-4 may be dependent on data obtained from end users/customers of the system 100.
[0032] In an aspect, accordingly based on inputs received from the communicating device 120-4, the monitoring unit 108-2 receives inputs regarding repair of the one or more tool in early deteriorating or damaged stage and fetches details of the repaired one or more tool to the memory 104.
[0033] In an aspect, accordingly memory 104 of the system 100 is updated and information is further communicated to the central server 120-2 via one or more network 120-1 as already mentioned.
[0034] In an aspect, the system 100 further comprises of a display unit 110, where the display unit 110 may be a graphical user interface showcasing real time status of all the tools and also the information obtained from the communicating device 120-4, with detailed status of the one or more tools undergoing health check.
[0035] Continuing with the above embodiment, the reception unit 108-1 may be configured to receive at a primary user interface tool usage data associated with the one or more industrial tools via a communication device 120-4. The communication device 120-4 may be configured to communicate the tool usage data in a periodic manner to the reception unit 108-1. The tool usage data may include, but not limit to, a tool unique ID, a periodic calibration period, a repair data of the one or more industrial tools, and a plurality of cycles associated with the one or more industrial tools. Furthermore, the monitoring unit 108-2 may be configured to compare the tool usage data with pre-stored data associated with the one or more industrial tools, present in a memory. The pre-stored data may include information associated with an amount of time corresponding to a completion of the plurality of cycles, a tool unique ID, predetermined calibration cycle for calibration, a pre-determined threshold calibration cycle for generating the alert. Comparing the tool usage data with the pre-stored data may include determining a first calibration cycle passed since a previous calibration of the one or more industrial tools was performed from the tool usage data, and comparing the first calibration cycle with a predetermined calibration cycle set for performing the calibration. The predetermined calibration cycle may be determined from the pre-stored data. Upon comparing, the monitoring unit 108-2 may be configured to determine that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated upon comparing the tool usage data and the pre-stored data.
[0036] Determining the first calibration cycle passed since the previous calibration may be based on identifying the plurality of cycles associated with the one or more tools. The plurality of cycles may correspond to a number of units of a product manufactured using the one or more tools within a fixed time period. The calibration cycle may be calculated by analyzing per day manufacturing of a product through an input device to calculate an average per day cycle of a tool or plurality of tools associated with the product and further calculate the time by when the calibration will be due. Determining that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated may include determining a difference between the first calibration cycle and the predetermined calibration cycle is equal to a predetermined threshold calibration cycle upon comparing the tool usage data with the pre-stored data. The alert may be generated when the difference is equal to the predetermine threshold calibration cycle.
[0037] Figure 3 depicts an example tool management method 300 performed by the present system 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Herein, as can be evidenced from the figure, initially a unique identity is created and details are registered/updated in the memory 104. Further the monitoring unit 108-2 after receiving inputs from the reception unit 108-1 about the one or more tools checks whether the one or more tool is in good condition, the one or more tool is in an early deteriorating stage or the one or more tool is damaged and needs replacement.
[0038] In an aspect, if the one or more tool is in good condition and needs no calibration, the monitoring unit 108-2 updates the memory 104 of the same. This process continues till life of the one or more tool is over and not in condition to extend further. In case, time of calibration of the one or more tool is due, the monitoring unit 108-2 transmits such information to the alerting unit 108-3 for providing warning signals.
[0039] In an aspect, if the one or more tool is in early deteriorating stage, the monitoring unit 108-2 present inside the system 100 receives instructions regarding repair or replacement of the one or more tool. This information regarding health of the one or more tool is obtained from the communicating device 120-4 configured to receive inputs from the end users/suppliers. Accordingly, the monitoring unit 108-2 prompts to re-calibrate or replace the one or more tool based on instructions received from the end users.
[0040] In an aspect, the memory 104 of the system 100 is updated continuously and the information is also communicated to the central server 120-2 for making it accessible to end users through one or more communication networks 120-1.
[0041] In an aspect, herein processor(s) 102 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) are configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory of the system 100. The memory 104 may store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to create or share data units over a network service. The memory 104 may include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0042] The interface(s) 106 may include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output device/s referred to as I/O devices, interfaces for communication device, storage devices, user interfaces and the like. The interface(s) 106 may facilitate communication of the system 100 with various devices coupled to the system 100. The interface(s) 106 may also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the system 100. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, processing device(s) and data storage. The interface(s) 106 may additionally allow an interactive communication between the visitor and the system 100 so that the system 100 may fetch additional information depending upon interests of the visitor.
[0043] The processing devices(s) 108 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming device(s) (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing device(s). In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. In one example, the programming for the processing device(s) 108 may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing device(s) 108 may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In other examples, the processing devices(s) 108 may be implemented by electronic circuitry.
[0044] Figure 4 illustrates an operational flow diagram depicting a process 400 for managing one or more industrial tools, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The process 400 may be performed by the TMS 100 disclosed in the figure 2. The TMS 100 may be configured to facilitate a real time monitoring of health status of tools from both supplier end and customer end. The TMS 100 may be able to automatically initiate periodic calibration of tools. The TMS may be able to ensure timely repair, replacement and/or life extension of tools as per requirement, store every operation performed on each tool in a dedicated database, and
[0045] At step 402, the process may include receiving at a primary user interface tool usage data associated with the one or more industrial tools via the communication device 120-4. The tool usage data may be received by the receiving unit as referred in the figure 2. The communication device 120-4 may be configured to communicate the tool usage data in a periodic manner to the reception unit 108-1. The tool usage data may include, but not limit to, a tool unique ID, a periodic calibration period, a repair data of the one or more industrial tools, and a plurality of cycles associated with the one or more industrial tools.
[0046] At step 404, the process 400 may include determining a first calibration cycle passed since a previous calibration of the one or more industrial tools was performed from the tool usage data by the monitoring unit 108-2. for comparing the tool usage data with pre-stored data associated with the one or more industrial tools, present in the memory. The pre-stored data may include information associated with an amount of time corresponding to a completion of the plurality of cycles, a tool unique ID, predetermined calibration cycle for calibration, a pre-determined threshold calibration cycle for generating the alert. Determining the first calibration cycle passed since the previous calibration may be based on identifying the plurality of cycles associated with the one or more tools. The plurality of cycles may correspond to a number of units of a product manufactured using the one or more tools within a fixed calibration cycle.
[0047] At step 406, the process 400 may include comparing the first calibration cycle with a predetermined calibration cycle set for performing the calibration. The predetermined calibration cycle may be determined from the pre-stored data.
[0048] At step 408, the process 400 may include determining by the monitoring unit 108-2 that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated upon comparing the tool usage data and the pre-stored data. Determining that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated may include determining a difference between the first calibration cycle and the predetermined calibration cycle is equal to a predetermined threshold calibration cycle upon comparing the tool usage data with the pre-stored data. An alert may be generated when the difference is equal to the predetermine threshold calibration cycle.
[0049] At step 410, the process 400 may include generating the alert via the user interface to notify an administrator to perform a calibration of the one or more tools. The alert may be generated by the alerting unit 108-3. In an embodiment of the present subject matter where it may be determined that the one or more tools need not be calibrated, the process 400 may include determining, by the monitoring unit 108-2, that the one or more tools needs not to be calibrated upon comparing the tool usage data and the pre-stored data, and storing, by the monitoring unit 108-2, the tool usage data in the memory.
[0050] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram 500 depicting a method for managing one or more industrial tools, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0051] At block 502, the method 500 includes, receiving, by a reception unit, at a primary user interface tool usage data associated with the one or more industrial tools via a communication device, wherein the tool usage data comprises tool calibration and repair data.
[0052] At block 504, the method 500 includes, comparing, by a monitoring unit, the tool usage data with pre-stored data associated with the one or more industrial tools, present in a memory.
[0053] At block 506, the method 500 includes, determining, by the monitoring unit, that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated upon comparing the tool usage data and the pre-stored data.
[0054] At block 508, the method 500 includes, generating, by an alerting unit, an alert via the user interface to notify an administrator to perform a calibration of the one or more tools.
[0055] The present subject matter includes a number of advantages, such as, providing real time status of the tools, facilitating an easy monitoring and maintenance of tools, a user-friendly system, and saving time and resources.
[0056] While the detailed description describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A method implemented by a Tool Management System (TMS) for managing one or more industrial tools, comprising:

receiving, by a reception unit, at a primary user interface, tool usage data associated with the one or more industrial tools via a communication device;
comparing, by a monitoring unit, the tool usage data with pre-stored data associated with the one or more industrial tools, present in a memory;
determining, by the monitoring unit, that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated upon comparing the tool usage data and the pre-stored data; and
generating, by an alerting unit, an alert via the user interface to notify an administrator to perform a calibration of the one or more tools.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
determining, by the monitoring unit, that the one or more tools needs not to be calibrated upon comparing the tool usage data and the pre-stored data; and
storing, by the monitoring unit, the tool usage data in the memory.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein comparing the tool usage data with the pre-stored data comprises:
determining a first calibration cycle passed since a previous calibration of the one or more industrial tools was performed from the tool usage data; and
comparing the first calibration cycle with a predetermined calibration cycle set for performing the calibration, wherein the predetermined calibration cycle is determined from the pre-stored data.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated comprises:
determining a difference between a first calibration cycle and a predetermined calibration cycle is equal to a predetermined threshold calibration cycle upon comparing the tool usage data with the pre-stored data, wherein the alert is to be generated when the difference is equal to the predetermine threshold calibration cycle.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein determining the first calibration cycle passed since the previous calibration is based on identifying a plurality of cycles associated with the one or more tools, further wherein the plurality of cycles corresponds to a number of units of a product manufactured using the one or more tools within a fixed calibration cycle.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated comprises:
determining a product manufactured from one or more tools through inputs from the user interface; and
analyzing a regular manufacturing record and calculating an average per-day cycle of the tool; and
calculating a time by when the calibration is to be performed.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 5, wherein the pre-stored data comprises information associated with an amount of time corresponding to a completion of the plurality of cycles, a tool unique ID, predetermined calibration cycle for calibration, a pre-determined threshold calibration cycle for generating the alert, and the tool usage data comprises the tool unique ID, a periodic calibration period, a repair data of the one or more industrial tools, and the plurality of cycles associated with the one or more industrial tools.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device communicates the tool usage data in a periodic manner to the reception unit.

9. A Tool Management System (TMS) comprising:
a reception unit configured to receive at a primary user interface tool usage data associated with the one or more industrial tools via a communication device;
a monitoring unit configured to:
compare the tool usage data with pre-stored data associated with the one or more industrial tools, present in a memory; and
determine that the one or more tools needs to be calibrated upon comparing the tool usage data and the pre-stored data; and
an alerting unit configured to generate an alert on via the user interface to notify an administrator to perform a calibration of the one or more tools.