20. April 2023
Expensive tools that are not available for production because they are not maintained or maintained too late: 90% of companies describe their tool maintenance processes as no longer efficient, although planned and effective maintenance is one of the most important factors for tool productivity. In order to inform companies about the current state of the art in tool maintenance, the Aachener Werkzeugbau Akademie (WBA) held the practical course Tool Maintenance on March 22, 2023, where participants could exchange ideas about innovative cleaning systems and effective maintenance programs. By means of practical solution ideas, new approaches from Industry 4.0, a visit to the demonstration factory in Aachen and a look at a digital tool file, exciting solution approaches were presented, with the help of which the participants can make the maintenance of tools in their companies more sustainable and effective in the future.

The content of the practical course focused on alternative forms of cleaning and the digitization of production tools. The participants, who came primarily from the tool and die making sector as well as from the plastics processing and metal forming industries, were given many opportunities to exchange views with WBA experts on efficient maintenance options and the advantages and disadvantages of various cleaning methods. A practical insight into innovative approaches was provided by live demonstrations of laser cleaning of tools in series production as well as AR applications for digitally supported tool maintenance at the workbench.

In the view of Oliver Sondhauß, head of the practical course on tool maintenance, the model of preventive tool cleaning is giving way to that of condition-based maintenance: “With the help of intelligent sensors on the production tools, we can detect when process parameters change during ongoing production. The analyzed data puts us in an increasingly better position to evaluate at what point cleaning should best be carried out.” Sondhauß continues, “One learning that the participants took away from the practical course is that tool maintenance must be seen much more as a competitive factor than as a cost factor.” This is because condition-based cleaning reduces costs compared to regular preventive maintenance and is also more sustainable.

Are you looking for new ways of tool maintenance in your company and interested in the latest state of the art? Then contact Oliver Sondhauß: o.sondhauss@werkzeugbau-akademie.de