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<\/a>Another major step forward is to feed all these real and potential process improvements back into your shop based on actual data gathered from your own equipment and start seeing where capacities change and efficiencies improve. This intelligence and connectivity has led to NOVOsphere\u2122, a fundamental step forward in how work gets done.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems that most technology suppliers are rushing to provide some form of digital access to information, but digital access is just the entry ticket,\u201d says John Jacko, vice president and chief marketing officer, Kennametal. \u201cWhere Kennametal differs is in its unshakeable focus on how customers can leverage better cutting tool data and information to improve their entire business. NOVOsphere\u2122 is based on an open architecture to deliver just that. NOVOsphere\u2122 is an amazing vision on how far things can go to deliver productivity to our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manufacturing process experts have described the current spectrum of digital processing claims as a \u201cfeeding frenzy of connectivity and data.\u201d This is driven by a number of things \u2013 manufacturing businesses see opportunities for enhanced productivity and reduced time from design to production. More informed businesses add opportunities for providing services and products to better-informed customers \u2013 all at much greater speed. Others see value in offering informed analysis capabilities to convert this \u201cfirehose\u201d stream of data to a manageable set of results and metrics.<\/p>\n \u201cOur vision for NOVOsphere\u2122 from the beginning is to provide an open-source system that interacts seamlessly with shop systems needing to leverage cutting tool data and machining knowledge for productivity improvement,\u201d Jacko explains. \u201cNOVOsphere\u2122 is built around the shop needs, from quotation to inspection. NOVOsphere\u2122 has six essential application to help our customers be more productive: Data is key to productivity. With its open architecture, NOVOsphere\u2122 possibilities are limitless. NOVOsphere\u2122 is further evidence that \u201cDifferent Thinking is Better Thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n From Design Through Purchasing<\/strong> The value of NOVO\u2122 data is not limited to the programming or process planning department. On the shop floor, presetting tools and tool assemblies is a valuable time-saver. ZOLLER (Ann Arbor, MI), a leader in automated presetting and balancing machines, knows customers can import NOVO\u2122 data from the Machining Cloud and know they have precise and reliable tool dimensions, offsets, and other critical data to make presetting reliable and valuable.<\/p>\n Since the 2013 launch of the NOVO\u2122 original Tool Selector, Tool Configurator, Tool Advisor, and Job functions, NOVO\u2122 has added connectivity to E-commerce, easy ISO 13399 exports, and seamless integration to the ToolBOSS\u2122 tool management system via the Machining Cloud.<\/p>\n Specifically, NOVO\u2122 users can request a price quote from their local Kennametal Distribution Partners by transferring their shopping cart list to them via the \u201cRequest Quote\u201d button. The distributor will receive a notification with complete detail of the items and requestor information to respond. A new pop-up also makes it easy to add spares and other individual items to existing shopping carts. Spare parts are clearly identified as \u201cincluded\u201d or \u201cnon-included\u201d on bills of material.<\/p>\n ToolBOSS\u2122 users on the cloud with the latest software version can now use NOVO\u2122 to see if an item proposed for a process plan is already available in their ToolBOSS inventory, making both plans and budgets more efficient. Customer part numbers are automatically populated in NOVO\u2122 Tool Advisor results and Tool Availability pop-ups via the ToolBOSS\u2122 database. \u201cBy adding ToolBOSS\u2122 credentials to their user profile, customers easily check the inventory in their local ToolBOSS\u2122 units with their developing process plans,\u201d says Chris Merlin, Marketing Manager for the Virtual Machining initiative at Kennametal. \u201cThey\u2019re better able to visualize items already in their shop.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>
\n-Select and Advise: This is the stage where users evaluate machining strategies based upon machine, material, part features, and specs. What is the best approach? How long will it take? How much will it cost? Which tools do I need?
\n-Simulate: This is the stage where users simulate the entire process from end to end with the use of software such as CAM. Are there any dimensional issues? Possible collisions, too many forces?
\n-Inquire and Purchase: This is the stage where users find out what they already have that can do the job and if it\u2019s available in real time to purchase when they need it.
\n-Optimize: This is the stage where users would like to know how the plan is working. Are we within planned cycle time, costs? Do I use this tool\/process consistently across machines\/plants?<\/p>\n
\nWhat is amazing is the many areas of a production business where better tool data improves processes. DP Technology (Camarillo, CA) imports NOVO\u2122 (now part of NOVOsphere\u2122) tooling data into its latest version of ESPRIT cloud-enabled CAM software. This not only saves part programmers hours of time as opposed to manual tool creation, the part programs are better because the data is based on real tools that can be selected based on part features, work material, surface finish requirements, or whatever aspects of the job are most critical.<\/p>\n