From March 2 to 6, the IPH - Institute of Integrated Production Hanover presents the result of a co-operative research project at the 2010 CeBIT. At the joint booth of the Universities of Lower Saxony, Elektra, the electronic tool log comes to life. The log was developed as part of a project between the IPH and partners from outside companies and other research institutions. During production Elektra measures and stores the production output of a forging tool and interprets this data both automatically and tamper-proof. This helps to control the amount produced by the tool. Analyzing this kind of information is of interest, e.g. when a forging tool is dislocated to an outside company.
However, Elektra does not only help to supervise production: As the log stores lifecycle information and logistic data, users know when the tool needs to be repaired. In order to optimize maintenance, this information can be accessed online at any time. Therewith the life-time and tool durability can be maximized while cost of repairs are being reduced. Due to the electronic storage of tool data, Elektra can furthermore help to simplify in-house quality management.
The electronic tool log was developed as part of the joint research project “IdproBlech” which was carried out by the IPH, six outside companies, and three research institutions. The project was financed by the Bundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research), and supervised by the “production and manufacturing technology” division of the Projektraeger Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. The electronic tool log consists of a hub sensor and a data logger and is connected to the forging tool. Via radio frequency identification (RFID) technology the data are tracked using radio waves. The tool-log does not need external power supply but works self-sufficiently.
