The current state-of-the-art solution for calculating process parameters is through an impact, or tap test. An accelerometer is attached to the tip of the tool loaded in the machine’s spindle. An instrumented hammer excites the tool point by lightly striking it. The force applied by the hammer, the deflection and response of the tool to that force is measured. Using BlueSwarf’s patented algorithms, those measurements are combined with the geometric data of the tool and analyzed by our engineers. An interactive Dashboard™ is generated for that unique machine/tool/toolholder/material combination and delivered to the customer. 

Because of the ad-hoc and fragmented nature of tool selection, proper tool management is virtually non-existent. As iTunes was developed as an application that enabled users to discover, download, organize and manage their digital media files, BlueSwarf has created the Tooling Cloud™ to organize, standardize and optimize their cutting tools and toolholders. In addition to organizing Dashboards™ and Harmonizer® remote monitoring, the free Tooling Cloud™ serves as a digital hub for all the various databases, documents and files used in a machining operation, as well as, social networks and BlueSwarf’s experts knowledgebase. It can link to other systems, including new MTConnect™ applications, to create a comprehensive shop management system delivered to any browser on a computer or pad device

To measure the tool's unique frequency with a tap-test, we manufacturer the BlueSwarf DC kit. It is easy to use. Learning how takes less than an hour. You can do it yourself, have us do it for you or ask your tooling or your machine supplier if they provide the BlueSwarf service (many now do). The tests are non-invasive and do not take your machine down for very long, only about 3 minutes per tool. 

The patented and proven Harmonizer detects chatter and calculates stable speeds. In addition, it serves as a powerful remote monitoring and predictive maintenance system when incorporated into the Tooling Cloud. 
Harmonizer is now available as a free app for the iPhone, iPad and most Android devices

BlueSwarf offers a broad range of manufacturing consulting services provided by the top milling, holemaking and Lean Six Sigma experts in the field.  Consultants at BlueSwarf all have at least 15 years of industry experience, many continuing to hold positions at top Universities.  Services provided range from the smallest individual machine and part optimization effort to large scale facility layout planning, manufacturing strategy and lean design.  Experts at BlueSwarf have significant experience increasing throughput and reducing costs within the Automotive and Aerospace industries manufacturing chain and have been retained for multi-year engagements by top corporations such as General Electric, Ford, Boeing and Daimler.  For inquires and rates please contact BlueSwarf at 1-888-811-3260, Extension 706 or fill out the adjacent form.

BlueSwarf is one of the principals in the DARPA-funded Machine Tool Genome Project to further develop and deploy science-based digital information for improved machining productivity.Should the Machine Tool Genome Project recover 30% in lost productivity, the potential cost savings and increased revenue is $23 Billion per year. Since a typical milling machine consumes 6.7 MWh per year, the energy savings potential alone from the improved productivity would be 1.5 Trillion BTU’s or over 250 Billion Pounds of CO2 greenhouse gases, the equivalent of 55 million gallons of gasoline. Since labor is estimated to be 31% of the cost of production, the recovered productivity and increased capacity would have the potential to save or retain over 200,000 manufacturing jobs. Counting the 4.15 jobs created as spinoffs for each manufacturing job, The Machine Tool Genome Project’s total employment impact potential is over one million jobs in the U.S. , which would bring a theoretical 8.0% unemployment rate down to 7.3%