US-12625985-B2 - Method for documenting information

US12625985B2US 12625985 B2US12625985 B2US 12625985B2US-12625985-B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for documenting information about an object, such as a machining tool, for example. The method comprises: creating a data record for an object, said data record having at least one data category, wherein the at least one data category enables the creation of multiple data levels; creating an additional data level during the course of transferring the object and the data record to a user, each of which can be protected by an electronic key; and using the object and storing information acquired when using the object in the additional data level.

Inventors

Jochen Kalmbach
Christian Neumann
Helmut Schwendele
Marijo Vinski
Matthias Volm

Assignees

tapio GmbH

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20200427
Priority Date: 20190429

Claims (12)

1 . Computer-implemented method for documenting information about a machining tool, the method comprising the steps of creating a data record for a machining tool, said data record having data categories, wherein the data categories enable the creation of multiple data levels, creating an additional data level during the course of transferring the machining tool and the data record to a user, each of which being protected by an electronic key, and using the machining tool and storing information acquired when using the machining tool in the additional data level, wherein the use of the machining tool relates to a use of the machining tool in a processing machine, wherein the data categories comprise master data, instance data and process data, the master data relating to static data produced by the manufacturer, the instance data relating to geometric data of the machining tool, and the process data relating to information concerning use of the machining tool in a processing machine.
2 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the machining tool comprises a milling cutter.
3 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein use of the machining tool concerns maintenance of the machining tool, the machining tool and the data record being transferred to a maintenance company for maintenance.
4 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the data record is stored in a cloud.
5 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein a control device of a processing machine accesses the data record when the machining tool is used.
6 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the key includes read and/or write permissions for the additional data level or parts of the data level of the data record.
7 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein when the data record is transferred to a further user or maintenance company, the key is transferred.
8 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the key has one or more attributes selected from: time-limited access, a certain number of accesses or a certain data volume.
9 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein an active object acquires information about the active or passive object, or a unit or device is used to acquire information about the machining tool.
10 . System for documenting information about a machining tool, comprising: a computer having a data storage device for storing a data record for a machining tool, the data record comprising multiple data categories and at least one of the data categories enabling the creation of multiple data levels, the data record being supplemented by an additional data level protected by an electronic key upon transfer of the data record to a user, and a processing machine configured to use the machining tool, the processing machine comprising one or more sensors adapted to acquire and store information on the use of the machining tool in the additional data level of the data record, wherein data categories comprise master data, instance data and process data, the master data relating to static data produced by the manufacturer, the instance data relating to geometric data of the machining tool, and the process data relating to information concerning use of the machining tool in a processing machine.
11 . System according to claim 10 , wherein the storage device is a globally available storage device.
12 . System according to claim 10 , wherein the machining tool is a woodworking processing machine, or a wood handling machine.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a method and a system for documenting information about an object such as a machining tool, for example. Purely as an example, such an object may be a milling cutter. The method and the system are used in particular in the wood processing industry. STATE OF THE ART It is known to store information on a cloud server and to protect this information by means of a password. Access to the information can thus be enabled within the scope of a read permission or a read and write permission. However, such a method cannot, or cannot fully, meet the increasing demands with regard to cooperation among the several actors involved. Security aspects in particular require new approaches that cannot be realised with the known systems or methods. SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a method and a corresponding system to increase the security of information about an object. Claim 1 provides a corresponding method. Other preferred embodiments are presented in the dependent claims. The invention further relates to a system that is preferably adapted to carry out individual or also all steps of the method. The method comprises the following steps: creating a data record for an object with multiple data categories, wherein at least one of the data categories enables the creation of multiple data levels; creating an additional data level during the course of transferring the object and the data record to a user, each of which can be protected by an electronic key; and using the object and storing information acquired when using the object in the additional data level. The steps of preparation, creation and use are preferably carried out in the order stated. The method has the advantage that a high level of data security can be guaranteed through electronic data processing. Furthermore, data levels with respective protection ensure that only those who also have the corresponding security key have access to a certain data level. Thus, when the data record is transferred, it can be ensured that the transferring entity retains rights of access to the specific data level or can transfer them selectively by transferring the electronic key. The data record makes it possible, for example, to store information about the wear or alteration of the object, which may in particular be a machining tool. The particular advantage to the user is that data is used without potential transfer errors in the machine. Based on the electronically transferred error-free data, the machine can determine whether the object, in particular the machining tool, is within, or is operated within, the permissible range. Furthermore, it is possible to expand the data pool with the user's own data, which accumulates during operation and can be used for management purposes. Throughout the product life cycle, data can be shared with other actors, in particular manufacturers, service providers, consumers, etc. Specific examples are end-consumers, machine, tool, software and material manufacturers, and furniture makers. Actors can act as data providers and/or data consumers. This simplifies, secures and improves service delivery by service providers and/or manufacturers. It allows analyses of performance, quality and service life. Furthermore, the user can use the data record to further improve processes based on the information in the data record. The knowledge of multiple actors can be pooled for this purpose. Moreover, complete documentation is possible. Throughout the entire product life cycle, the manufacturer of the object (for example, the machining tool) can provide information about its product to the customer. If the customer is willing to share data with the manufacturer, this information obtained from operational use of the goods can provide the manufacturer with valuable information and insights relating to its products in use. This allows the object to be further adapted and improved. The said object may be what is called active object which itself acquires or generates information and, where applicable, stores said information. Such an object could be, for example, a processing unit or a processing machine. According to another embodiment, the object is passive. In this case, the acquisition and storage of the information are carried out by a unit or device or manually by electronic means or similar. A machining tool is mentioned as a concrete example. Information about the machining tool is acquired from the machine using this tool. Another embodiment of a passive object is a coating material. A machine using this coating material records the consumption of the coating material. The object is preferably selected from the group comprising: a machining tool; a coating material; a consumable; a machine, in particular a machine for machining wooden workpieces. A machining tool can be, for example, a milling tool, a drill, a scraper or similar. The machine for processing a workpiece,