Tools Data Manager ("TDM") is an advanced manufacturing data collection and management solution that features comprehensive functionality for torque data capture and management.  TDM is designed to simplify the challenge of connecting, extracting, associating, archiving, analyzing and mobilizing manufacturing data generated by localized shop-floor devices; such as, torque assembly systems, process PLCs, testing systems such as Labview, quality systems and etc. From quality & test data to critical process data, TDM aggregates all disparate localized manufacturing data into a single, central database and operating tool offering total control and collaboration.

TDM adds the 4th Dimension to Data Identity

Most commercial data collection systems only identify data at three levels or dimensions; source, value and time. However, Tools Data Manager uniquely adds "process" as the 4th dimension in identifying your manufacturing data. By adding "process", broader associative search capabilities are enabled using the process relationships created by the unique 4 layered data structure.

The "process" dimension for data identity is introduced into the TDM data model guided by the TDM set-up process where each device's physical relationship within the manufacturing process environment is reflected.

This added data identity layer is easily integrated into any type of manufacturing, assembly or business model through the use of user configurable set-up screens, which are at the heart of TDM. Once configured in TDM, this new data identity layer opens up advanced searches driven by a series of drop-down menu filters and adds expanded views of all data events and identification of associative similarities .

Device Connectivity is Integral to TDM

TDM has been designed to put the User in total control of all generated and collected manufacturing data within a single solution using one master console panel concept. This approach provides significant advantages over current manufacturing data archiving and analytical solutions that typically requires the use of multiple software packages to accomplish connectivity, collection, archiving and analytics.

TDM is one of the first commercially designed software tools that integrates the function of device connectivity into the core software tool including connectivity, data selection, data identity and many other useful functions. TDM's design provides the necessary tools for your team of engineers and technicians to set-up, configure and launch TDM in the shortest period of time and at a substantially reduced cost. This is made possible by TDM's use of integrated technologies, easy to use set-up and viewing screens and Catalyst committed, on-going relationship with a growing list of device manufacturers.

Certain shop-floor device categories, such as DC Torque Controller systems, are catalogued within TDM for profiling connectivity methods and data generation options. TDM uses these device profiles to enable the advanced capability of executing an "auto connect" feature where TDM will sense any new device enabled on the common network, quarantine the new device for review /final disposition and then allow the quarantined device to be added (via standard set-up screens within TDM) very easily. Auto connect feature is activated when a newly connected device is powered-up allowing TDM to "sense" the presence of the device and handle the alerting process for quarantine/disposition.

Catalyst will maintain a downloadable "Auto Connect" API and code library to be used for enabling devices with the auto connect feature, in the case that a manufacturer's model has not been certified for auto connectivity by the device manufacturer and Catalyst.

Web-enabled for ease of User access

Tools Data Manager is completely web enabled and accessible to any authorized User of the TDM installation using a standard web browser. Security for accessibility is managed within TDM and controlled by an assigned Administrative User at each licensed site.

Total Control of all collected Manufacturing Data; The primary operating principle of TDM

TDM is built on the principle that the User should have full and total control of all available data within the manufacturing, assembly or business space. TDM 2012's design, therefore, begins with providing the User a series of simple to use and understand interfaces which are the User's gateway to the power delivered by TDM.

Set-up and Modifications

The first step in gaining control of the manufacturing data is to identify and profile the actual devices that generate the data to be collected. TDM provides a comprehensive, simplified set-up process for identifying and profiling each device.

The User assigns each respective device to a specific manufacturing area, work cell and station to provide the "process' dimension of data identity. Once the device is assigned to the proper manufacturing group of tasks, the User is then directed to complete the properties definition details for each respective device being profiled. Much of the set-up process is driven by selections from pull-down menus with specific focus on the operational and data handling characteristics of the respective device. The balance of the set-up is based on the data identification and collection schema designated by the User (such as data point name).

Once each device is initially set-up, the set-up screens are used for future modifications that keep devices, data and process aligned with each other for accurate and complete data collection as changes occur, such as line-balancing activities.

Additionally, the User will have the ability to enable auto connect, if available with the device, or enter the specific configuration requirements that allow for connectivity. In addition, TDM will identify the available data that can be collected from which the User will select specific data points for retention and archiving.

Viewing, Reporting and Analytics

Once the TDM system is set-up and configured, defined manufacturing data will be collected in accordance with the schema for each device (i.e., sent by the device with the completion of each defined process event, or aggregated at the device level and sent in batch on a predescribed time cycle, or etc). As the data is collected, the User can then take total control of the collected data including such things as; viewing, charting, graphing, exporting and analyzing.

Data accessibility is achieved through a series of viewing and reporting options within TDM that provides the User a wide range of data filtering options to expose specific data to be reviewed. Once data is exposed for viewing, the User can activate a single button process to export directly in an Excel spreadsheet format. In addition, the User can select one or more data search results to be comparatively graphed for viewing and analysis (directly useful with angle-vs-torque trace curves).

All searching, viewing, reporting, and exporting is accomplished on one master console for Viewing and Reporting putting the User in total control of the collected manufacturing data. 

Expanding the Total Control of Manufacturing Data

For Users looking for deeper, more comprehensive control of the manufacturing data with regards to data mobility, Catalyst's snap-in utility, Data Mobility Manager, will provide unparalleled control of packaging and directing data to external destinations, whether it is a one time transfer or a scheduled, repeated transfer.

For Users looking to leverage collected data in areas of quality improvement, process improvements and cost containment, Catalyst has a growing line-up of product releases that add measurably significant benefits. Each one of these module add-ons to TDM are scientifically advanced, algorithmic-based analytical tools that delivery unprecedented value.

Once TDM is up and running efficiently, call Catalyst to find out more about how their expanded product line up can add significant benefits to your quality and cost management programs.

Benefits of Tools Data Manager

TDM is a comprehensive data collection and management system that puts the User in total control of the critical data generated within the manufacturing space. TDM is fast and easy to deploy and does not require an expanded, multi-disciplined project team for configuring, integrating and deploying TDM, which reduces the cost and timing for deployment.

A critical benefit built into TDM is its integrated, proactive data collection design rather than being a buffered, batch updated system.  TDM can be configured to collect data using event triggers or packet subscriptions to gain immediate, real time access to process, quality and test data.  This level of integrated data collection provides for greater leverage of the collected data via real time screenings, monitoring and analytics.  One of the prime examples that gaining real time exposure to manfuacturing data comes when TDM is used to manage torque data within the plant or on a global level.  The basic data collections schema for torque data collection used within TDM is a complete data transfer upon the completion of each torque rundown by each torque assembly system.  The real time availability of torque/angle signature curve data  for each rundown enables the evolutionary benefits found in the analytics performed by Catalyst's Fastener Integrity Monitor. 

The level of control and mobility that TDM provides will deliver critical data faster and more efficiently to engineers, analysts and 3rd party systems enabling reduced labor costs and faster fault isolation/discovery times. When you begin adding the phenomenal power in Data Mobility Module, Fastener Integrity Module, Weld Integrity Module and more, the benefits are immediate, repeatable and substantial. If deployed efficiently, the combination of TDM and FIM can delivery unparalleled warranty cost reductions.

Call Catalyst today to learn more about Tools Data Manager or other products by Catalyst . . schedule a demonstration today!

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