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Gadget Freak
Gadget Freak Case #221: Smart Toolbox Finds the Right Tool
7/27/2012

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Michael Hake (left) and Aron Seader (right), along with Kai Erickson and T.J. Shaul (not pictured), have created an intelligent toolbox that can look up a tool on its user friendly touch screen display.
Michael Hake (left) and Aron Seader (right), along with Kai Erickson and T.J. Shaul (not pictured), have created an intelligent toolbox that can look up a tool on its user friendly touch screen display.

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jmiller
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Platinum
Re: What about the addition of an iPad?
jmiller   7/31/2012 8:27:56 PM
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I love the idea of being able to track who has which tool.  Very helpful for small companies that may have one or two sets of tools that everyone uses. 

jmiller
User Rank
Platinum
Re: What about the addition of an iPad?
jmiller   7/31/2012 8:27:36 PM
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I love the idea of being able to track who has which tool.  Very helpful for small companies that may have one or two sets of tools that everyone uses. 

BillG54
User Rank
Iron
Re: Intelligent Tool Cabinets
BillG54   7/31/2012 4:02:36 PM
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The larger tools have a RFID chip built into them.  The smaller tools like sockets have tip switches in the slots where they go in the drawers.  These are matched up by the processor to the tool numbers.  Reports show who took or replaced  each tool and on what day and time.  If a tool is missing, the screen shows who checked it out and when.  A handheld wand can be used to track it down if it is left somewhere.  Our purpose for them, besides keeping tool inventory, is to ensure that no tools are left inside an assembly when it is shipped from our facility.

mdhake
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Iron
Re: Intelligent Tool Cabinets
mdhake   7/31/2012 3:49:55 PM
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BillG54, If you don't mind me asking how do the tool boxes know what tool is taken? Does the operator type in what tool they are going to use?

mdhake
User Rank
Iron
Re: Software upgrade
mdhake   7/31/2012 3:45:26 PM
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Nugent_56, Thank you! The drawers are noisy because the lead nuts used were the general purpose ones and have a slight amount of backlash allowing the lead screws to wobble ever so slightly.

mdhake
User Rank
Iron
Re: cool gadget!
mdhake   7/31/2012 3:41:56 PM
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Hey John, I am sure you would be able to put on of these together if you had the materials the hardest thing was getting the circuit board soldered up and working in one shot.

Mydesign
User Rank
Platinum
Smart Tool Box
Mydesign   7/31/2012 4:49:42 AM
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1 saves
It seems like a miniature of voice base interactive tool box. If we are able to add some sort of intelligence with the help of sensors to the tool box, we can convert it to a smart tool box.

Tim
User Rank
Platinum
Nice invention
Tim   7/30/2012 10:06:27 PM
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This is a nice invention. It would be great if it kept an inventory, so if someone removed a tool, it could let you know.

BillG54
User Rank
Iron
Re: Intelligent Tool Cabinets
BillG54   7/30/2012 9:42:27 AM
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My company uses what we call intelligent tool cabinets in several assembly areas.  They are accessed via the employee's ID card.  The system logs time, date, user, tool(s) removed and logs the same information when they are returned.  They are quite expensive, so they are not something a homeowner could afford for their garage or work area.

BillG54
User Rank
Iron
Re: Intelligent Tool Cabinets
BillG54   7/30/2012 9:42:15 AM
NO RATINGS
My company uses what we call intelligent tool cabinets in several assembly areas.  They are accessed via the employee's ID card.  The system logs time, date, user, tool(s) removed and logs the same information when they are returned.  They are quite expensive, so they are not something a homeowner could afford for their garage or work area.

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