Anyone who works in procurement for a company in the mechanical engineering, automotive, metal, electronics or energy industries is familiar with the HAHN+KOLB Group. Founded in 1898, the company is now one of the world's leading tool service providers and system suppliers. For many customers, HAHN+KOLB is actually their one-stop store for procurement. And to make ordering and processing as smooth as possible, HAHN+KOLB offers its customers a wide range of digital options.
Digitalization becomes a standard requirement
Stefan Lehmann, responsible for Product Management Machining and Clamping Technology at HAHN+KOLB, had a very clear idea of the complexity of the next digitalization step: All cutting tools of their own brands Atron and Orion get their respective digital twin. He explains: "Digitalization is playing an increasingly important role in our customers' production processes. It makes working with CAD/CAM systems and NC programming much easier if all the relevant tool data is already available in high quality. Digital twins also significantly improve process reliability and stability – key decision-making factors for our customers. Cutting tools without easily accessible data and graphics will soon face a very challenging time on the market. Users have come to expect this."
The challenge of heterogeneous data
A particular challenge for HAHN+KOLB in the digitalization of Atorn and Orion tools lies in the large size and diversity of the portfolio, with many individual tool groups and types. Tool data is not always available with the same quality everywhere. Stefan Lehmann from HAHN+KOLB explains: "The central challenge in the project was the varying quality and completeness of the tool data to which we had access. But that is exactly why the TDM Systems Data Service Team is the right partner." Engin Özkan adds: "Companies are often concerned that a digitalization project will put a strain on their own processes and, above all, consume resources." Engin Özkan's data team works to address precisely this issue: “We have the processes and tools to largely relieve customers of the small details of digitalization. Thanks to intensive dialog in the initial phase of the project, we can estimate the effort and costs of a data project fairly realistically."
A clear choice in favor of TDM Systems
The decision to choose TDM Systems as a partner for the extensive and strategically important digitalization project at HAHN+KOLB was made relatively quickly. Stefan Lehmann was convinced right from the start and he played a key role in managing the selection process at HAHN+KOLB: "The deciding factor in favor of TDM Systems was the high quality of consulting, which was evident from the very first meeting. Engin Özkan got in touch with me almost immediately after the tender to follow up on possible sticking points. It just made a super competent, service-oriented impression on me."
Optimal cooperation in all project phases
The project has now been running for four years. For 80 percent of Atorn and Orion cutting tools, the digital twin is already available in the HAHN+KOLB online store and can be downloaded by users in their preferred format. Entire tool groups are already fully digitalized, so only new products need to be updated regularly. Engin Özkan and Stefan Lehmann are proud of how quickly they were able to move from the planning phase to processing the work packages. The systematization of the stock according to tool classes (such as solid carbide drills and hybrid drills or different types of milling cutters) and the definition of standards for data collection and generation form the basis for effective project management.
Data availability in the online store and TDM WebCatalog
HAHN+KOLB customers usually only become aware of the extensive digitalization project because they can now easily load the digital twin of a tool into their systems via the online store. In the format they need. Another advantage from which tool manufacturers and dealers such as HAHN+KOLB in particular benefit, is that their data is provided in the TDM WebCatalog and is therefore also available to TDM users worldwide. The tool data is available in the cloud application and enables users who use TDM Systems software to easily access and download the data directly into the TDM application.
Everything at a glance
TDM Systems creates 40,000 digital twins for HAHN+KOLB
Targets
- All cutting tools of their own brands Atron and Orion get their respective digital twin
- 100% reliable tool data and graphics for HAHN+KOLB customers
- Placement of data in the TDM WebCatalog
Comprehensive data services from TDM Systems
TDM Systems also offers its customers data services. This includes data consulting, which is based on an analysis of the tool inventory and recommends the simplest and most efficient way to digitalize the tool inventory. TDM Systems also offers to take over complete digitalization of the tool inventory for customers. However, data services are also offered for tool manufacturers or dealers, involving the digitalization and structuring of tool data and the creation of digital tool catalogs. These can then be made available online in the TDM WebCatalog. Around 345,000 tool data sets from 11 tool manufacturers are currently offered in the TDM WebCatalog.
