In 2019, surface specialist Oerlikon Balzers launched the "Digital Workflow" project. The laser marking of tools with Data Matrix Codes (DMC) created the basis for assigning or reading out a lifelong tool number for digital identification. The code can be used to digitally link and retrieve information - from the number of regrinding cycles to order, life cycle and usage data to inspection logs. IT partner c-Com developed a powerful open cloud application as the infrastructure. This processes all data for access by all project participants via their ERP systems.

The practical test with pilot customer Brinkmann Schleiftechnik, which has many tens of thousands of tools treated at Oerlikon Balzers every year, followed at the end of 2020. Previously, the partly manual order processing created greater effort, despite electronic data exchange. This has now changed. Thanks to laser marking
the tools ground at Brinkmann are now physically and digitally assigned to transport containers for onward transportation, which also receive a DMC and then travel to the Balzers plant. There, the baskets are scanned and all data is retrieved from the cloud.

Due to the clear link between tools and baskets, the tools can now be rearranged as required for further processing. A "super production order" is created for this purpose, which combines many of the orders sent into meaningful groups. After coating, the tools can be reassigned to their baskets and original orders by scanning and sent back to the customer Brinkmann, who can retrieve all delivery data via the cloud. The linked customer platform myBalzers, which enables online orders and status queries as well as providing the necessary documents and receipts online, also provides support here.

Lots of future potential

"We benefit from significantly greater transparency, less effort and smooth order processing. And we see a lot of potential with regard to better management of the tool life cycle," says Julius Brinkmann, Project Manager at Brinkmann Schleiftechnik. In future, tool life, grinding processes and machining parameters can be recorded, analyzed and optimized over the life of the tool.

Tool stocks can be better calculated and adapted to the order situation, which reduces storage costs. The processing of complaints benefits as all relevant tool data is immediately available. Oerlikon Balzers can better utilize its coating systems and reduce process costs. Data security is also a top priority: Each participant receives special access rights and the cloud servers are located in Frankfurt am Main, so that no data is sent overseas.

"Networking the entire supply chain in the Open Cloud is a major step forward for the industry, which has tended to implement isolated company-internal solutions up to now," says Giari Fiorucci, Managing Director of c-Com. Gerhard Peyerl, Head of Sales at Oerlikon Balzers Germany, looks ahead: "We have a pioneering solution package that we now want to open up to the market."