Perhaps OT question!

[CNC_Programmer]

Sorry if I have posted this in the wrong forum and/or sub-forum, but this is the only place I thought it might fit. ???

I have been charged in my shop with keeping inventory. This includes raw material (for parts and tools), tool/die construction supplies(screws, springs, etc.) and consumable tools (drills, end mills, taps, etc.).

I am looking for software that will aid in this task. Do any of you know of inventory software that is well suited to use in a metal forming/tool & die/general machining environment?

Any suggestions of software and/or where else I might query will be greatly appreciated!

[ImanCarrot]

I used SAGE, but this might be a bit over the top for purely Stock/ Inventory Control as it does this and Finance stuff too.

Whatever you end up using you'd be wise to control all tooling and or stock using issue numbers as well as discrete drawing numbers- ie if you buy 100 M5 Screws asign it a discrete Stock number AND an issue number- things change like designs so if you have 100 off at issue 001 in stock and 100 off at issue 002 (say due to a material change) you can issue the correct part to the shop. Same with manufactured parts- control them using a discrete drawing/ stock number AND an issue number.

Also- make sure the description field is searchable- it's no use having just "M6 screw"- better to have "Screw, Cap Head, M6 X 12mm passivated".

Might seem over the top, but we were doing this for military stuff which needs full traceability. A record of the Purchase Order/ Works Order number should accompany the part in stores- this gives you traceability to incomming Certificate of Conformities.

That's a big job you're taking on! good luck man!

[CNC_Programmer]

Thanks for the reply. I think you may be right about Sage being over the top. We are working on our ISO certification and need traceability from incoming raw material through outgoing finished parts, at least. We have some casual traceability however it is not going to be accurate and/or reliable enough in the near future.