Vending Machines Dispense Clear Path to Tracking Tools
Tracking and managing tools with tool cribs and vending machines keeps tools accessible, safe and secure, and ensures accuracy in the job costing process.
Posted: November 6, 2021
TOOLING & WORKHOLDING
Machine shops will realize the advantages of continued innovations in software and hardware as the demand for vending machines and tool cribs, RFID systems, lockers, carousels or coil vending increases. These products improve productivity and efficiency in tool management, where you never have to struggle to place the location of a tool or stop production to search. When employees use barcodes or badges to withdraw tools from these systems, the costs of the tools are automatically applied to the cost of the job, which creates efficiencies. Read on to learn about the next generation in this tool management format.
FLIP TOP CUTTING TOOL VENDING MACHINE AVAILABLE IN THREE SIZES
CribMaster (Marietta, GA) offers the FlipTop, a new CribMaster tool vending machine designed specifically for high-value tools and accessories. With up to 1,782 bins per unit, FlipTop can accommodate hundreds of SKUs within one highly-secure, access-controlled machine. Powered by the CribMaster’s industrial vending machine software, access to the items within FlipTop are highly secure, allowing storeroom personnel or inventory admins to restrict access by user, item type or another user defined field.
In order to maintain high security for valuable items, only one item is stored per bin. Additionally, FlipTop has two layers of access-control at the drawer and bin level. Once a worker selects an item to check out, only the drawer that contains the item will unlock and only the specific bin that houses the item will pop open. All other items will remain securely locked. There are 32 total bin layouts to choose from with a mix of differently-sized square and rectangular bins to easily accommodate a range of items from small inserts to larger drill bits and tig wire. Each drawer layout is independent to allow for maximum customization.
The FlipTop comes in three sizes:
- The standard FlipTop is a large floor-standing unit with the most bins and useable space.
- FlipTop Mini is a smaller version that can sit on a tabletop or rolling cart, and achieves a balance of size and capacity.
- And for the space conscious, FlipTop Wall is mounted on the wall and is a great option to free up floor space at point-of-use.
FlipTop was designed with efficiency in mind, and features a quick replenishment system, allowing distributor reps to replenish bins twice as fast as competing solutions. Bins with the same item open at once, cutting replenishment time in half, and the AutoLock feature automatically closes and locks all bins when the drawer is shut. The solution is also highly-scalable—up to three auxiliary units can be added to a main unit, for a total of up to 7,128 secure bins.
NEXT GENERATION OF TOOL INVENTORY CONTROL
Sandvik Coromant’s (Mebane, NC) CoroPlus® Tool Supply service offers users a new solution to unite tool inventory management with tool logistics, helping operators pick and return tools, manage restocking and maintain inventory control using the same interface. The Tool Supply is part of the CoroPlus range of digital solutions. Sandvik Coromant is a global leader in metal cutting.
With the CoroPlus Tool Supply hardware, manufacturers can easily store and keep track of tools. Storage options can be tailor made according to facility demands, with tool vending solutions ranging from open stock, drawers and lids to full tool cabinets. Each hardware option allows tools to be securely stored, without the risk of loss or damage. Manufacturers can collect and manage a wealth of tool data using the cloud-based interface, which can be used with or without a vending cabinet.
Tool use on the shop floor feeds data into the administration and management side of the system, helping engineers, purchasing and management teams to keep track of tool usage, costs, purchasing and inventory. Connecting to multiple suppliers’ tool databases, CoroPlus Tool Supply can store correct tool information, including ISO parameters, bill of material, spare parts, product images and CAD file types, in a single area.
The product doesn’t just benefit those operating machine tools. “Because users of the tool management software and hardware can automatically raise orders for new tools from the shop floor, finance teams will be less burdened with the administration of reordering new parts,” explained Markus Eriksson, business development manager for Digital Machining at Sandvik Coromant. “Elsewhere, operations teams will find overall tool consumption is reduced, because the exact status of each tool can be instantly discovered — there’s no risk of tools being discarded because it’s assumed they’ve surpassed their lifecycle.”
LEVEL 5 IMPROVES EVERY ASPECT OF TOOL MANAGEMENT
Snap-on Industrial (Kenosha, WI) has developed the most advanced form of tool control for the metal and fabricating industry: Level 5 Tool Control. A proactive tool control system, Level 5 uses proprietary optical technology to provide real-time monitoring and analysis to tool management.
The foundation of the Level 5 Tool Control System includes organization, visibility, access control, asset management and automation. These factors, when added together, work to provide a detailed process of tool inspection and accountability, both before and after a job is completed, as well as a process that is repeatable.
Automated Tool Control boxes and lockers employ the five hallmarks of the Level 5 Tool Control System to monitor and track tools as they are removed and returned – all in real time without compromising the speed of work. Level 5 Tool Control solutions keep teams organized and productive whether it’s at the point of use or the tool crib.
In September 2020, Snap-on acquired AutoCrib Inc., a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of asset control solutions. This assortment further expands Snap-on’s ability to track all of the assets across the facility, including consumables and tool crib items.
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