Tools in good hands

Precision is everything in tool and mold making. This often involves critical tolerances in the thousandths of a millimeter range. To ensure flawless work, tools must be calibrated regularly. This is often an expensive undertaking, as the company Oakley Die & Mold from Mason in the US state of Ohio can report. It is recognized worldwide as a specialist in CNC machining, precision tools, mould making, tool repair and custom-made products.

As a precautionary measure, Oakley sent all its devices in for calibration several times a year. In many cases, however, this procedure was not necessary, as calibration requirements vary greatly from once a month to once a year, depending on the device. If they are not used or damaged during this period, calibration can be postponed.

Oakley's "better safe than sorry" policy was becoming increasingly expensive. Since calibration costs the equivalent of 40 to 185 euros per tool, this led to high overheads and unnecessary delays.

Automated locker solution

A transparent ray of hope in the Oakley Die & Mold workshop. The calibrated tools are safely stored in the Axcess 6000. Only authorized employees have access to them.

The turning point came when Oakley opted for an automated asset management solution from Apex Supply Chain Technologies a few years ago. The company chose the Axcess 6000 automated locker solution, which allowed it to restrict access to calibrated tools and set loan periods. In addition, it is now known around the clock who has a particular tool in use. Automatic notifications enable complex calibration schedules to be adhered to.

"The Axcess 6000 serves as a kind of bonded warehouse for calibrated tools," explains Jim Goddard, Site Manager at Oakley. "If a measuring instrument is not used within its specified calibration period, we can prove this and do not need to send it back for calibration."

But how exactly does the system work? From the outside, the Axcess 6000 is reminiscent of conventional locker systems, such as those found in department stores or libraries. Numerous compartments of different sizes reveal their contents with the help of transparent doors.

Transparent and securely stored

But the Axcess 6000 is much smarter than a conventional locker system. When an employee swipes their ID card through the reader or enters a PIN, they can remove the tool they are authorized to use. This data is then sent via the internet to Apex's own Trajectory Cloud™ platform. It stores who uses an item, for which task or function, and when it needs to be returned. Once the employee has completed their work, they simply return the tool to the locker. If the tool needs to be repaired or calibrated, this is entered into the control system and the compartment is automatically locked. This means that the tool cannot be accidentally used by another employee.

Apex location now in Rüsselsheim

Apex founder Kent Savage is internationally recognized as an expert in supply chain technology, factory automation and advanced technical solutions for the point of use. He has been working with dispensing systems for over 30 years. He founded Apex in 2006. In the USA, many well-known companies already rely on Apex products, including Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, Daimler, FedEx and Unilever. Apex has 15,000 customers worldwide. Now Apex wants to enter the German market and has set up a site in Rüsselsheim for this purpose. Here, potential customers can get to know the various systems, including the Megastore, Edge and Solo series in addition to Actylus and Axcess. These can be used in the processing and manufacturing industries as well as in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and mining sectors. "We deliver customized solutions for the exact needs of a company," says Kent Savage. Devices, consumables or safety equipment are always available where they are needed - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"Without the Axcess 6000 lockers, managing and documenting device calibration would be a very labor-intensive process," emphasizes Jim Goddard. This is now done virtually on the side. This has enabled the company to reduce calibration costs and streamline operations. In October 2014, the company also achieved the desired ISO 9000 certification as a result of the optimization of quality management. "By managing calibrated assets, we can ensure that the right instruments are being used according to our customers' specifications and we can provide the proof that our customers demand," says Bob Beltz, Quality Manager at Oakley.

Tools no longer disappear

Quality Manager Bob Beltz: "The solution helped us to obtain ISO certification."

It also prevents frequently used tools from ending up in an employee's drawer to be used again later, but not being available to employees on the next shift. In the end, the company would assume that the tool is missing and buy a new one - with the corresponding economic consequences. With the Axcess 6000, on the other hand, the location of a tool is always known, 24/7.

Intelligent container system

This is just one example of the use of an output system from Apex. The company has developed several product lines for a wide range of tasks. The Actylus container system, for example, optimizes the management of small parts. Actylus is an intelligent, modular Kanban system; a variably adjustable rack with open containers of different sizes. High-precision scales under each container constantly measure stock levels. If a critical quantity is reached, a repeat order is automatically sent to the relevant supplier. The replenished material only needs to be replenished later by an employee. The rest is done automatically. Inventories, the space-intensive hoarding of stocks or expensive last-minute orders become superfluous.

"We've cracked the code," says Apex founder Kent Savage and promises that the system really works. "Shortages or unnecessary orders are now a thing of the past. Our customers can save costs and work more efficiently."

Contact:Oakley Die & Mold Company Mason, Ohio 45040, USA Phone: 0 01 / 5 13 / 7 54-85 00 E-mail:[email protected] www.odm.com

Apex Supply Chain Technologies GmbH 65428 Rüsselsheim Phone: 0 61 42 / 78 90 30 E-mail:[email protected] www.apexsupplychain.com/de