Tool design is the manufacturing segment that creates tools and equipment that can be used to increase productivity. Whether through digital or traditional technology, these designers must create objectives and provide tools to benefit their company.
Establish the Objectives
Most designers’ main objective is to lower production costs while maintaining the quality of the finished product and improving productivity. In other words, designers are trying to make quality parts at the lowest possible costs.
Identify the Problem
The first step to create a new tool is to identify a problem that needs to be solved. This can often be simple, like proposing what the tool is going to do. It could also be an actual production problem that needs a new tool to be solved. Once the problem is identified, the design process can continue.
Analyze the Requirements
At this point, it is time to determine the requirements the tool must meet. This often includes functions, production requirements, quality, cost, and due date.
Develop Ideas
Once the requirements of the tool are outlined, data must be analyzed. Then, initial ideas will be developed.
Compare Alternatives
Many different ideas will come out of the first development phase. These must all be written down. After they are documented, these ideas must be compared. In this stage, charts will be developed that compare the function, production requirements, quality, cost, and time to create.
Finalize the Ideas
After analyzing the various ideas, it is time to pick one. This is often the most difficult stage because no design is likely to stand out glaringly, so the final choice takes lots of thought.
Look at the Economics
At this point, the designer needs to know the economics involved in producing the part. For instance, they need to consider if extensive or temporary tooling would be the cheaper option.
Combine Operations
Before anything else, designers will often look to see if production operations can be combined. This can reduce tooling and production costs for the company.
Determine Tool life
The final step is to choose the materials the part will be made from and consider how this impacts the tool life. In other words, the designer must determine the economics of producing the part and what would be best for the company.
Designing new tools is a part of the manufacturing business that can lower costs and improve productivity. Designers often follow this standard process to meet the objectives of a company.