Many manufacturing companies have built up a treasure trove of data over the years - particularly in the area of tool management. However, in practice, the potential of this legacy data often remains untapped because it lies dormant in silo solutions, is inconsistent, or is difficult to access. COSCOM, a digitalization specialist for the shop floor, offers a powerful solution with its ECO platform to consolidate, prepare, and utilize this data as a foundation for the next level of digital manufacturing.
From Brownfield to Smart Factory - sustainable and data-driven
"Our task in current implementation projects often involves transferring fragmented tool data from systems such as CAD/CAM, tool presetting, or machine controls into a consistent data foundation," explains Christian Erlinger, Managing Director of COSCOM Computer GmbH. The goal is not to replace existing IT investments and established brownfield structures but to integrate and further develop them intelligently.
COSCOM sees itself as a bridge builder between the past and the future - with solid expertise, a variety of proven tools, and a deep understanding of heterogeneous data landscapes. "Often, our customers lack a clear overview of the quality and potential of their legacy data. This is exactly where we focus on analysis, evaluation, and targeted data blending," says Erlinger.
Efficient migration thanks to standard importers and data blending concept
With specially developed importers for common systems such as TDM Systems or Wintool, existing tool data can be seamlessly transferred to the COSCOM ECO platform. In addition, the COSCOM proprietary data blending concept allows for the integration of various data sources - from databases to Excel spreadsheets to XML files or ERP material master data. The result: a consolidated, structured dataset that digitally supports all relevant shop floor processes.
"In many cases, we discover additional, undocumented data sources - such as CAD derivatives on CNC machines or graphical tool data in CAM systems," reports Erlinger. The data blending concept allows such information to be made usable and transferred into a holistic data structure - almost like a fitness program for the data inventory.
Multi-CAM capable tool data: standardized and usable across systems
Especially in the CAD/CAM area, the complexity of tool data is increasing - particularly due to the use of 3D graphics for calculating precise tool paths. With the COSCOM TCI concept (Tool Cooperation Interface), this data can be standardized and used across systems: the same digital twin of a tool becomes usable independently of the CAM system - including the system-specific tool parameters for collision-free path calculations.
Manufacturing reality needs multi-CAM strategies - COSCOM provides the platform for it
The trend towards individually configured machining centers means that manufacturing companies often acquire specially tailored CAM systems with the machines today. This often results in different CAM systems being used in parallel - the central tool data supply becomes a key function.
COSCOM addresses this reality with a dedicated multi-CAM strategy based on the TCI concept. An example: A DMG lathe with 4-channel equipment is newly acquired. The already operational CAM system does not support this machine, and an additional CAM system specialized for this requirement is purchased. Here, the COSCOM concept can showcase its strengths. The already existing, centrally managed tool data in the COSCOM ECO platform can be immediately prepared for use in the new CAM system and put into operation.
Contact:
