Levers for management of resource efficiency in the tool and die making industry

Abstract

The tool and die making industry enables the series production of goods by manufacturing tools and dies in one- as well as small-batches. Vast differences in factor costs in conjunction with the development of know-how in low-wage countries have shaped a new competitive environment for the tool and die making industry in recent years. It demands the increase of efficiency in resource utilization while continuously being able to meet the requirements for reliable manufacturing of high quality tools and dies. Value creation design and life cycle optimization of tools and dies represent levers with which these demands can be addressed. The manufacturing process and tools and dies themselves are characterized by a high complexity. This key property is owed to the fact that specifications vary greatly between orders for tools and dies as they are manufactured in small- and one-batches. The complexity of the process has to be mastered by actively controlling the value creation depth, whereas the complexity of the tool or die has to be mastered by optimizing the tool according to the customers' requirement over its life cycle. Value creation design and life cycle optimization have yet to be successfully employed in the tool and die making industry. This paper elaborates the potential of these two levers that focus on the integration of the supply chain to sustainably enhance resource efficiency for the customer.