System and method for automated tool management

• US 9,292,811 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2014
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Difr-Tek Digital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Propet International Incorporated
• Inventors: O'Brien, Patricia L., O'Brien, Geoffrey C., Brolley, Sean M., Draca, Predrag
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown, Claude J
• Application Number:
  US14/266,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20140231507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/1796 Moulds carrying mould related information or codes, e.g. bar codes, counters
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 31/006 Handling moulds, e.g. between a mould store and a moulding machine movable moulds B29C33/34; for injection moulding B29C45/1756
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4065 Monitoring tool breakage, life or condition
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/40938 Tool management
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4183 characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A system of using machine readable labels affixed to tools for managing information related to those tools. The barcode is affixed to a tool so that the barcode does not interfere with the tool. By scanning the barcode on the specific tool, a user is able to access pertinent information related to that tool. Examples include specifications, recalls, hours of usage, liens, etc. Also, a method of reporting metrics of the history of a tool that includes the ability to create, report, store, and communicate machine tool details, parameters, usage, issues, maintenance actions, and or problems. Also, a method of generating a Preventative Maintenance alert report. Additionally, a method of tracking the lifecycle count of a tool. Also, a method of auto-populating a tool database. Finally, a method of tracking tool locations and updating tool metrics utilizing a GPS- and camera-enabled cell phone.

Claims

1. A system for managing tools comprising:

a machine operable to scan a device;

a machine readable code affixed to a tool;

a tool database that is operable to receive a signal from the machine, the tool database having a storage medium;

an issue report feature having an interface for permitting an operator to input data into the interface, the report feature is in communication with the tool database;

an alert feature in communication with the tool database, the alert feature operable to generate a message including tool set-up information, design information, and maintenance instructions in response to data from the tool database; and

an output device that is operable to display a user interface to access at least a portion of the tool set-up information, design information, and maintenance instructions.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the alert feature is operable to send the message with the tool set-up information, design information, and maintenance instructions to a predetermined list of contacts associated with the tool.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine readable code is at least one of a bar code, a QR code, or a UPC code.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine that is operable to scan a device is one of a code scanner, a phone, or an optical machine.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the tool database is one of a cloud storage system, a network storage system, or a server.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a phone GPS network that communicates with the database.

7. A method of reporting metrics of a history of a tool comprising:

providing a scanner that may be used by an operator;

scanning a code device on a machine tool to generate a first signal, the first signal having information related to the identity of the machine tool;

sending the first signal to a computer;

storing the first signal as part of a database;

retrieving data from the database that is associated with to the machine tool;

generating a message including a manufacture date, warranty information, authenticity information, tool set-up information, design information, and maintenance instructions in response to data from the database;

communicating the message with an output device; and

displaying, by the output device, a user interface to access at least a portion of the manufacture date, warranty information, authenticity information, tool set-up information, design information, and maintenance instructions.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the message with the manufacture date, warranty information, authenticity information, tool set-up information, design information, and maintenance instructions is sent to a predetermined list of contacts associated with the tool.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of transmitting the retrieved data to a plant location that is different than the plant location where the operator first scanned the code device.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising locating the output device at a geographic location, wherein the geographic location is different than where the operator scanned the code device.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the sending is accomplished across a cellular network using a GPS-enabled device.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the data from the database includes tool usage information.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the scanner includes at least one of a code scanner, a phone, or an optical machine.

14. A computing system having a processor and a memory, the processor being configured to:

receive a tool identifier from a machine readable code associated with a tool;

receive tool usage information associated with the tool identifier;

store the tool identifier and the tool usage information as part of a tool database;

generate a message including tool set-up information, design information, and maintenance instructions in response to data from the tool database; and

display a user interface to access at least a portion of the tool set-up information, the design information, and maintenance instructions.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the tool identifier includes at least one of a bar code, a QR code, or a UPC code.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the tool identifier is received from at least one of a code scanner, a phone, or an optical machine.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the tool database is at least one of a cloud storage system or a network storage system.

18. The system of claim 14, the processor further being configured to receive a tool location from a global positioning system.

19. The system of claim 14, the processor further being configured to send the message with the tool set-up information, design information, and maintenance instructions to a predetermined list of contacts associated with the tool.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the tool usage information includes a condition of the tool.