// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Tool Design
Tool design is the engineering discipline focused on creating specialized tools, dies, jigs, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes to produce parts efficiently and accurately.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Tool design is the specialized engineering discipline concerned with the conceptualization, detailed design, and specification of manufacturing tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and gauges, optimizing their geometry, material selection, and operational mechanics to facilitate efficient, precise, and repeatable production of components.
BACKGROUND
Manufacturing is the creation or production of goods with the help of equipment, labor, machines, tools, and chemical or biological processing or formulation. It is the essence of the secondary sector of the economy. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high-tech, but it is most commonly applied to industrial design, in which raw materials from the primary sector are transformed into finished goods on a large scale. Such goods may be sold to other manufacturers for the production of other more complex products, or distributed via the tertiary sector to end users and consumers.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Fixture design
- die design
- jig design
- tooling engineering
USAGE NOTE
Effective tool design is critical for achieving high-quality parts and reducing production cycle times.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Tool Design.
A leading provider of CAD/CAM/CAE software, including CATIA and SOLIDWORKS, which are extensively used for designing tools, molds, dies, and fixtures for various manufacturing processes and simulations.
Offers comprehensive software solutions like NX CAD/CAM/CAE and Solid Edge, which provide robust capabilities for advanced tool design, mold and die development, and manufacturing process planning.
Develops a wide range of design and manufacturing software such as Inventor and Fusion 360, empowering engineers to design, simulate, and manufacture tools, jigs, and fixtures efficiently.
Known for its Creo suite, PTC provides powerful CAD/CAM/CAE software that supports the complete tool design workflow, from conceptualization and detailed modeling to simulation and manufacturing preparation.
Offers a broad portfolio of solutions for design, engineering, and production, including CAD/CAM software (e.g., VISI, WorkNC) and metrology tools that are critical for precision tool design and manufacturing verification.
A global leader in engineering simulation software, Ansys provides tools crucial for validating and optimizing tool designs, performing structural, thermal, and fluid dynamics analysis to ensure tool performance and longevity.
A pioneer in additive manufacturing, Stratasys develops 3D printing solutions that enable the rapid design and production of custom tooling, jigs, fixtures, and molds, enhancing agility in manufacturing.
Provides comprehensive additive manufacturing solutions, including hardware, software, and materials, that are used for designing and producing advanced tooling, prototypes, and production parts, revolutionizing tool development.