New Options from Kennametal's ToolBOSS Expand Supply Chain Efficiencies

Flex Unit and other options increase capabilities and improve supply chain efficiency

Latrobe, Pa.March 29, 2013—Tooling technology manufacturer Kennametal Inc. expanded its ToolBOSS tool management system to provide Flex Unit, a smaller, portable demo unit, which Kennametal made available to its distribution channel partners.

“Distributors are the front line in customizing programs for their customers,” said Jay Evans, Program Manager for Global Supply Chain Services, Kennametal Inc. “The demo unit is a great way for those distributors to demonstrate ToolBOSS advantages right in their own conference rooms.”

One of the most fundamental keys to running an efficient and cost-effective plant is having the right tool in the right place at the right time. While the cost of a milling or turning insert may range from a few dollars to significant investment, not having that tool available when needed can shut down an entire production line or more, resulting in missed delivery dates and lost profits.

“More and more customers are demanding vending solutions for all the classic reasons,” Evans continued. “They all want to improve inventory control, downsize centralized tool crib operations, reduce the amount of time it takes for machine operators to locate required tools, and capture, compare, and trend tooling costs associated with the part produced. Such data helps identify problem areas and opportunities for continuous-improvement efforts.”

At 100 pounds, the demo unit includes a ToolBOSS computer loaded with the full version of ToolBOSS Inventory Manager software, the standard touch screen and two pre-configured tray levels.

“Width- and depth-wise, the demo unit is a full-size ToolBOSS frame, but the height is only 23 inches (58.4 cm),” said Evans. “This allows our distributor partners to show a variety of tray and drawer sizes -- solutions for large and small shops alike.”

The Flex Unit is a full-size ToolBOSS frame that starts out with eight drawers to further showcase ToolBOSS advantages. As customer requirements grow, more drawers can be added up to 26 levels to the frame.

The ToolBOSS Modulo unit is a modular ToolBOSS frame that can be configured to provide different drawer and compartment sizes, expanding ToolBOSS for more than just tools but also anything else companies want to more efficiently control, such as replacement parts; gloves; or personal protection equipment. For larger operations, the Modulo system can manage up to 120 ToolBOSS locations efficiently and securely to provide full identification, usage and automatic reordering capabilities.

For even larger or more complex manufacturing customers, the ToolBOSS Roto Point can handle from 234 to 468 secure locations with new removable compartment dividers, including one variation that can be reconfigured on the customer’s site. Multiple compartments can be selected in a single transaction, so large volumes of stock can be managed in a minimal amount of time. 

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