Why you can benefit from digital tool management today – and how ETML ensures the future as a standard.
Table of Contents
Current Situation in Tool Management
In carpentries, medium-sized furniture manufacturers, and industrial mass productions, we encounter the same stumbling blocks:
Large variety of tools – cutters, drills, saw blades, aggregates with different service times
Excel sheets or paper labels – error-prone, time-consuming, difficult to keep up-to-date
Opaque sharpening cycles – Who sharpened what when? How much remaining travel is left?
Data silos – suppliers, sharpening services, CAM systems, and machines often do not speak the same language
Result: longer setup times, unplanned downtimes, quality risks, and unnecessary costs.
What is ETML? – The new standard for tool data
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Name | ETML – European Tool Machine Language |
Initiative | Joint project of leading European tool and machine manufacturers: WEINIG, Leitz, Leuco, AKE, JSO, Homag, IMA Schelling |
Goal | Uniform, machine-readable tool data throughout the entire lifecycle |
Benefits | Cross-manufacturer exchange, fewer interface problems, more automation |
Status | Introduction phase: first manufacturers are supplying ETML data, dissemination is increasing |
Customer Benefit | Long-term high future security and smooth integrations |
Why ETML remains important
The standard creates the "alphabet" for digital tool data. The stronger the adoption, the easier the exchange between supplier, sharpening service, software, and machine.
What is twinio? – The application that delivers today
twinio is the proven cloud application from tapio – specifically developed for the wood and furniture industry.
Functions you can use immediately:
QR code scan or serial number search for immediate tool identification
Lifecycle management: service times, remaining travel, sharpening history
Workflow for sharpening services: digital handover & feedback without paper
Dashboards & reports: inventory, availability, costs at a glance
Mobile & desktop: usable anytime at machine, sharpening shop or office
Out-of-the-box ready thanks to partners like:
AKE, Aigner, AGEFA, Frezite, Kanefusa, Leuco, TotalTools, JSO, Spreyer, HOMAG, Weinmann
Ready for tomorrow
twinio processes ETML data seamlessly – and can also generate ETML files or other data packages in the future, should your sharpening service or supplier not be part of the tapio network. However, the most elegant solution remains the complete integration within the tapio ecosystem, because there is no need to pass files back and forth.
ETML + twinio: Standard meets application
ETML – Standard | twinio – Application | |
|---|---|---|
Function | Defines how tool data is structured | Makes tool data usable in everyday life |
Status | Rollout at manufacturers | Productive in use at companies |
Customer Benefit | Future-proof interoperability | Immediately measurable efficiency: less setup time, less errors |
Synergy | twinio reads & writes ETML | twinio provides practical feedback for ETML further development |
Data exchange | Standardized | Seamless in the tapio ecosystem – or via ETML export for non-partners |
Time horizon | Long-term lever | Immediate and medium-term levers |
Recommended action in 4 steps
Clarify current status
Record tools, machines, sharpening services, data sources
Identify losses (downtimes, search times)
Implement twinio
Install app, attach QR codes, digitize first tools
Define and measure KPIs (setup time, tool costs, waste)
Raise partner awareness
Approach suppliers & sharpening services about digital data provision
Mention twinio and ETML compatibility as a procurement criterion
Observe & integrate ETML
Follow webinars and trade fairs (e.g., LIGNA)
Update twinio as soon as new ETML interfaces are available – seamlessly for tapio partners, via ETML export for non-partners
Conclusion: Start today, benefit tomorrow
ETML is the common alphabet for tool data, supported by WEINIG, Leitz, Leuco, AKE, JSO, Homag, and IMA Schelling – and will facilitate digital exchange in the long term.
twinio, supported by AKE, Aigner, AGEFA, Frezite, Kanefusa, Leuco, TotalTools, JSO, Spreyer, HOMAG, and Weinmann, is the application that delivers real results today – and will naturally use ETML in the background tomorrow. For non-partners, twinio can provide ETML exports in the future, but it works most seamlessly within the tapio ecosystem, as there is no need for file ping-pong.
Recommendation
Digitize your tool management now with twinio. Keep an eye on ETML – your system is prepared, whether your partners are already part of the tapio network or join later.
This way, you combine short-term benefits with long-term future security – and set the next milestone towards a Smart Factory in furniture construction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I have to wait for ETML before I digitize?
No. twinio works immediately – and uses ETML automatically as soon as available
What if my supplier is not a tapio partner?
twinio can generate ETML files or CSV packages in the future, so that non-partners can still process your data.
Is twinio only useful for large companies?
No. Small businesses gain overview & mobility, large companies additionally automation & reporting.
Are my data safe in the cloud?
Yes. tapio hosts in the EU, uses encrypted transmission, and role-based access.
Can twinio connect to my ERP/CAM systems?
Yes. Open REST APIs allow integration into ERP, MES, and CAM systems.
