ZOLLER customers are well positioned for the future when it comes to networking, a task there is no way around against the background of increasing digitalization and Industry 4.0. All ZOLLER solutions, including the proven »genius« universal measuring machine and the new Smart Cabinets tool storage cabinets, operate on the basis of a common database and are connected via a central database.
The smart factory operates with the data that is available. With respect to tool management this means that the goal is to have the right tool with the right data, at the right place at the right time. The aim is to link real and virtual tool data over the entire production process and to allocate it to the physical tool, and to provide this information regardless of location.
ZOLLER offers a combination of tool management software and software-supported tool storage cabinets for the transparent and efficient storage of individual components, complete tools, consumables and accessories in order to quickly find the right tool or grinding wheel with the corresponding data for incoming production or the grinding order.
The tool storage cabinets, so-called Smart Cabinets, are structured and transparently displayed in the software interface. The user is guided quickly and easily to the exact storage location of the tool via the intuitive software interface. On customer request, the individual components can only be removed once the tool has been digitally checked out from the software in order to keep the stock constantly up-to-date and accurate.
Grinder Special: Grinding Wheel Management Package
ZOLLER offers the grinding wheel management package in its software range especially for grinders. This package offers everything that grinders need for measuring and managing grinding wheels. Thanks to the connection to the new, software-supported tool storage cabinets from ZOLLER, long search times are no longer necessary. The single components required for grinding wheel packages can be stored and managed safely and systematically. Having the right grinding wheel in the right configuration saves costs and lets your machines grind more efficiently.
Once the user has all components together, the “Tool Assembly Assistant” software module in the tool management software ensures that the grinding disc package is correctly assembled. The software module can be called directly at the ZOLLER workbench and displays the parts list, a drawing and a 3D model of the assembled tool.
Well Equipped for the Future with ZOLLER Measuring Machines
Once the tool has been manufactured, it can be measured directly on the ZOLLER measuring machine next to the grinding machine. In an increasingly complex world of networking, ZOLLER attaches great importance to one thing: the simplicity of the operation of all software and hardware solutions. The intuitive software interface of the »pilot« measuring instrument software and the TMS Tool Management Solutions tool management software guides the user simply, quickly and precisely to the (measuring) result.
A further requirement for the measurement technology of the future: Impeccable tools including digital twin. After measuring the real tool with proven ZOLLER measuring technology, the tool data can be created and managed as individual components directly on the ZOLLER measuring machine on the basis of the characteristic structure DIN 4000 / ISO 13399. That is how tool grinder customers benefit not only from the real, high-precision ground tool but also from the “digital twin”. The characteristic data, including 2D and 3D models, can be easily and quickly output as XML or CSV files to almost any tool management system.
“Automation is the future of tool preparation” says Alexander Zoller, at the EMO 2017. Ideal for tool manufacturers and grinders with very high tool throughput and a claim to 100% control and logging is the ZOLLER »roboSet 2« automation solution for tool measurement. When networked directly with the ZOLLER universal measuring machine, »roboSet 2« can load tools around the clock, completely autonomously. Thanks to a multi-pallet system and double gripper, it can process and document large numbers of tools fully automatically.
Smooth Data Transfer to the Grinding Machine
ZOLLER offers numerous interfaces to make the transmission path of the measured actual data from the machine tool measuring machine to the grinding machine as efficient as possible. They form the basis for smooth processes and open up major potential savings. With the grinding program, the data set for the measuring device is generated at the same time and the fully automatic measuring sequence is generated from it. Depending on the type of interface, the measured data is transferred back to the programming system or the grinding machine and the grinding program is temporarily corrected for this tool. This reduces programming effort and machine downtimes to a minimum. Users save time and money – and also avoid errors during data entry and the creation of a new grinding program.
