The Institute for Production Engineering and CIMTT (CIM Technology Transfer) in Kiel and companies like Franz Xaver Meiller Fahrzeug- und Maschinenfabrik are leading the way: GROB machining centers are installed in their production halls. Machines, production, and workstations are networked using the GROB-NET 4 Industry web application .
But what does this app do, and what contribution does COSCOM make?
“In our collaboration with GROB, we have taken tool management to a new level,” explains Christian Erlinger, Managing Director of COSCOM Computer GmbH, proudly.
GROB-NET 4 Industry It is a modular system that networks production processes across plants . Its functions are diverse: internet connectivity for all machines, remote monitoring, ERP integration, analysis tools for process optimization, and much more.
A key element is the GROB 4 TDX module, which enables the automated transfer of tool data to the CNC machine. During measurement in the tool presetting room, the tool is automatically identified in order to link the tool data to it and transmit it digitally to a database. Identification can be carried out in various ways, e.g., via barcode, DMC (Data Matrix Code), or RFID chip.
This automation offers numerous advantages:
- Reduction of tool change times
- Improved tool planning and utilization
- Reduction of search and waiting times
- Inventory optimization
Benedikt Gundling, Product Manager for Digital Products at GROB , summarizes the benefits: “With GROB 4 TDX, we can track where and when each tool is located . The connectivity allows us to see the tool life of each tool in each machine . This enables us to produce more cost-effectively and efficiently.”
Seamless networking through COSCOM
To fully map the tool cycle, high-performance interfaces that interact seamlessly are crucial. Finally, GROB-NET 4 Industry is also compatible with machines from other manufacturers.
This is where COSCOM technology comes into play. The company develops its own tool management software and, behind the scenes, handles the central tool organization for GROB 4 TDX , including order-related tool provisioning. Using modern REST APIs, COSCOM has implemented interfaces to tool presetting devices, tool storage systems, and other devices and programs. Based on the users' tool data, COSCOM establishes communication with machines, MES systems, the shop floor, and the warehouse .
In the tool presetting room, users see a complete overview of all tools and provisioning requirements, while operators simultaneously receive notifications about loading and unloading the tools via tablet or smartphone.
Prof. Dr. Henning Strauß, Managing Director of the Institute for Production Engineering and CIMTTIn Kiel, GROB-NET 4 Industry is in use and confirms its added value: “We are a development partner for GROB-NET 4 Industry ourselves, particularly regarding machine and plant networking. The cooperation with COSCOM has closed an important gap in the tooling sector. Comprehensive information about tools – from measurement and automated transport to their condition in the machine – is fully recorded. This data is centrally available via GROB-NET 4 Industry.”
