Cutting Tool Edge Marking for Edge-Specific Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cutting tools lack effective traceability of individual cutting edges, making it difficult for manufacturers and end-users to manage and associate operational data with specific edges, leading to inefficiencies in manufacturing and tool management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of machine-readable identification markers on cutting tools, allowing for unique identification of each cutting edge, along with a system and method for associating operational data with these markers, enabling improved traceability and data management through a computer program product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If identification markers are added to each cutting edge, then traceability of cutting edges is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cutting tool into multiple independently identifiable segments by placing individual identification markers on each cutting edge. This segmentation allows each cutting edge to be tracked separately, resolving the traceability issue while the modular nature of the markers keeps the added complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification markers serve as intermediary elements that bridge the cutting edges and the traceability system. These markers (barcodes, data matrices, RFID tags) act as mediators that store and transmit information about each cutting edge without requiring complex integration into the cutting edge structure itself.
2Loss of information
If multiple identification markers are placed on the cutting tool, then traceability of specific cutting edges is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The identification markers are applied to cutting edges during the manufacturing process, specifically after the cutting edges are formed but before final assembly. This preliminary action allows the markers to be attached to pre-formed cutting edges, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring each edge has its unique identifier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standardized identification marker formats (barcodes, data matrices) that can be replicated across multiple cutting edges using the same manufacturing processes. This copying approach allows consistent application of markers without requiring complex custom manufacturing for each marker, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If identification markers are placed close to cutting edges, then ease of determining which cutting edge is associated with which marker is improved, but risk of marker damage during operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies identification markers to specific locations on the cutting tool body that are spatially associated with each cutting edge, such as the tool holder surface near the cutting edge mounting position. This local quality approach ensures clear association between marker and cutting edge while placing markers in locations that are not directly in the cutting path, reducing exposure to damage.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a
AI summary
A cutting tool (20), a system (100), method and computer program product (500) for increasing traceability of at least a first cutting edge (21) of a cutting tool (20), the method comprising (S1a) detecting, at least a first identification marker (41) on the cutting tool (20), (S2a) reading, the at least first identification marker (41), (S3a) decoding the at least first identification marker (41) to determine at least a first cutting edge information data (1ceID) comprised in the machine readable code of the at least first identification marker (41), (S4a) generating a first cutting tool identification data (1ctID) based on at least the at least first cutting edge information data (1ceID), and (S7) storing at least any of the at least first cutting tool identification data (1ctID) and the at least first cutting edge information data (1ceID) in a memory (103a, 103b, 103c).