Walter Takes Challenge Out of Tool Selection

7 March 2021

Cutting tool selection, budgeting and machining strategies can prove a time-consuming exercise for any business. This has all now been simplified by Walter and its Walter Innotime software platform that is leading the way with a number of unique new technologies that until now have never been seen in the manufacturing industry.

The new Walter Innotime system is a web-based portal that links manufacturers to the expertise of Walter cutting tool engineers. Simplifying cutting tool selection and machining strategies, Walter Innotime provides the facility for customers to upload 3D model files of their raw and finished components. Once the files are uploaded, manufacturers input a few simple parameters such as workpiece material type and machine tool selection that are all stored in the extensive Walter Innotime database.

Walter Innotime is a digital wizard that conducts tool selection and calculates optimised parameters from the information such as cutting speeds, feeds and strategies. This web application links existing Walter customers and the respective on-line systems to the ‘Engineering Kompetenz’ of Walter employees. Based on 3D models of the component that can be uploaded to the Walter website via a simple drag-and-drop, Walter Innotime analyses the cutting operations required and suggests to the Walter engineer dealing with the enquiry, the appropriate tools with cutting data and prices from the Walter portfolio. This digital search at the component level is currently unique in the market and significantly reduces the time and effort expended upon tool selection by both the end-user and the Walter engineering team.

By utilising Walter Innotime, the customer receives the most economical tailored tooling solution with a cost-effective valid quote in the shortest possible time. Walter field service employees and engineers benefit from Walter Innotime undertaking the preliminary work with the physical design and the development of the optimum machining strategy for the customer component.

The Walter engineer checks the proposal and if necessary, undertakes project optimisation based around the customer’s specific needs. As a result, the design process for complex components and enquiries is fast-tracked. The level of automation within the Walter Innotime portal hugely reduces planning and project management efforts and expedites order and delivery of cutting tools for the end-user.

“For our engineers and technical distributors, but primarily for our customers, Walter Innotime represents a milestone. We deliberate intensively over the component and can deal with enquiries so much faster for our customers, that is something directly tangible,” explains Dr Michael Hepp, Vice President Digital Business at Walter.

“By combining the ‘Engineering Kompetenz’ of our employees with the virtual intelligence of our software systems, we can assist our customers in quickly and easily finding, purchasing and employing the most economical tooling solution for them. In future, our customers will have to do nothing more than upload their 3D component – quick and easy.”