Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A computer-implemented method for predicting tool performance, said method comprising the steps of: maintaining tool history data in an electronic memory;  updating the tool history data with tool servicing data;  determining from the tool history data and the tool servicing data a predicted tool remaining useful life; and  displaying said remaining useful life on a computer output device. 2. A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the tool history data and the tool servicing data include average tool data and benchmark data, said method further comprising the step of comparing the average tool data to the benchmark data to determine tool efficiency. claim 1 3. A method in accordance with  claim 2  further comprising the step of maintaining tool history data and tool servicing data for a plurality of locations. claim 2 4. A method in accordance with  claim 3  further comprising the step of maintaining tool history data and tool servicing data in a spreadsheet format. claim 3 5. A method in accordance with  claim 4  further comprising the step of analyzing punch and die performance. claim 4 6. A method in accordance with  claim 4  further comprising the step of entering data into at least one spreadsheet to update a plurality of spreadsheets. claim 4 7. A method in accordance with  claim 2  further comprising the step of determining future tool servicing requirements from the tool history data and the tool servicing data. claim 2 8. A method in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the step of determining future tool servicing requirements from the tool history data and the tool servicing data comprises the step of applying safety margins to the tool history data and the tool servicing data. claim 7 9. A computer-based system for evaluating tool performance, said system comprising at least one computer configured to store tool history data and tool servicing data, said system configured to maintain the tool history data, update the tool history data with the tool servicing data and determine from the tool history data and the tool servicing data a predicted tool remaining useful life. 10. A system in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the tool history data and the tool servicing data include tool performance data and benchmark data, said system further configured to compare the tool performance data to the benchmark data to determine tool efficiency. claim 9 11. A system in accordance with  claim 10  further configured to maintain tool history data and tool servicing data for a plurality of locations. claim 10 12. A system in accordance with  claim 11  further configured to maintain tool history data and tool servicing data in a spreadsheet format. claim 11 13. A system in accordance with  claim 12  further configured to analyze punch and die performance. claim 12 14. A system in accordance with  claim 12  further configured to update a plurality of spreadsheets from the data in at least one spreadsheet. claim 12 15. A system in accordance with  claim 12  further configured to use the data in at least one spreadsheet to create at least one additional spreadsheet. claim 12 16. A system in accordance with  claim 10  further configured to determine future tool servicing requirements from the tool history data and the tool servicing data. claim 10 17. A system in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said system configured to determine future tool servicing requirements from the tool history data and the tool servicing data comprises being configured to apply safety margins to the tool history data and the tool servicing data. claim 16