Tool Scanner System for Manufacturing Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In manufacturing settings, tools like molds and dies often lack critical information, leading to identification challenges and potential misuse due to incomplete or lost data, which can be time-consuming and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing machine-readable labels, such as barcodes, integrated with tools to provide and update critical information, including specifications, usage hours, and maintenance alerts, allowing easy access and tracking through a user interface and database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If machine-readable labels are integrated with tools, then information accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses machine-readable labels (barcodes, QR codes) as information copies that store tool data without modifying the physical tool structure. These labels are affixed to or integrated with tools to provide accessible information while maintaining tool simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a database and scanning devices as intermediaries between the tool and the user. The machine-readable label acts as an intermediary that links the physical tool to its digital information repository, enabling information access without direct tool modification.
2Loss of time
If manual identification methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and investigative work with automated optical scanning systems. Barcode scanners and image capture devices automatically read machine-readable labels, eliminating the need for manual tool identification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Machine-readable labels are pre-affixed to tools during manufacturing or registration, containing all necessary identification information before the tool is ever used. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual information gathering during tool identification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tools are sent between plants, then versatility is improved, but information reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The machine-readable label system provides a universal information access method that works across different plants and locations. The same label structure and scanning technology can be used anywhere in the network, enabling consistent tool identification and information retrieval regardless of location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements information feedback loops where tool data is continuously updated in the central database as tools are moved between plants. Scanning the label at each location triggers automatic information retrieval and updates, ensuring the most current data is always available.
Data Source
AI summary
A tooling system may comprise a tool scanner, a tool database, and a user interface device. The tool scanner may be configured to scan a tool identifier on a tool. The tool database may have tool information associated with the tool identifier. The user interface device may be in communication with the tool scanner and the tool database. The user interface device may receive tool information from the tool database in response to the scan by the tool scanner, concurrently display a tool issue description and a tool issue image from the tool information of the tool database, receive a tool area selection with respect to the tool issue image, and provide access to a tool issue history from the tool database in response to the tool area selection.