Guidelines for tool store dimensioning in flexible manufacturing using an analytical technique

The problem of tool management has become extremely relevant with the increased applicability of automated control of manufacturing and flexible production. Combination of proper tooling of machining centres with the item flow is not a strategic feature, because of the importance of tool cost in production accounting. The present study proposes a review of the parameters which influence the dimensioning of tool inventory, e.g. tool life, batch size, duration of machining jobs. In addition, the paper reviews different tool management strategies and compares them. Their performance and influence on the tool spectrum determination are evaluated by an analytical technique based on Queueing Theory.