A visualized cutting tool management pattern for flexible manufacturing systems

Tool management is an important element in the efficiency of flexible manufacturing system. In order to supply fast and accurate results of tool preparation, a visualized cutting tool management methodology is presented. In the proposed methodology, a cutting tool management pattern and its detailed management process, including list management, tooling management, all tools management, standard tool management and Details of tool management are first introduced. On the basis of the cutting tool management pattern, a visualized tool management process that can manage the pictures, movies and audio files of the tools and deal with drawing composition is discussed. In addition, the management of insufficient tools and unnecessary tools that can trace the status of tools and improve the quality of tool preparation is introduced. Finally, a web-based visualized cutting tool management system is developed based on the proposed methodology.