Web-enabled, Real-time, Quality Assurance for Machining Production Systems

AbstractIn order to maintain the close control of production quality, frequent measurement and process parameter adjustments are desirable. In the discrete parts industry, part inspection is intended to be a metric for the process quality but quality control is typically done long after the part has been machined. The long latency between machining and quality assessment makes it difficult to incorporate quality feedback into production. Quality assurance relies on continuous real–time quality feedback, which is not a complex concept. However, the collection and representation of the necessary process data and quality measurement data is challenging. This paper discusses Web-enabled, real-time quality data and statistics based on the integration of two manufacturing open specifications: MTConnect and Quality Measurement Results (QMResults). A pilot implementation that integrates the two technologies and produces Web-enabled, real-time quality results in a standard XML representation from Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tool inspections will be discussed

Explicitly representing the semantics of composite positional tolerance for patterns of holes

Representing the semantics of the interaction of two or more tolerances (i.e. composite tolerance) explicitly to make them computer-understandable is currently a challenging task in computer-aided tolerancing (CAT). We have proposed a description logic (DL) ontology based approach to complete this task recently. In this paper, the representation of the semantics of the composite positional tolerance (CPT) for patterns of holes (POHs) is used as an example to illustrate the proposed approach. This representation mainly includes: representing the structure knowledge of the CPT for POHs in DL terminological axioms; expressing the constraint knowledge with Horn rules; and describing the individual knowledge using DL assertional axioms. By implementing the representation with the web ontology language (OWL) and the semantic web rule language (SWRL), a CPT ontology is developed. This ontology has explicitly computer-understandable semantics due to the logic-based semantics of OWL and SWRL. As is illustrated by an engineering example, such semantics makes it possible to automatically check the consistency, reason out the new knowledge, and implement the semantic interoperability of CPT information. Benefiting from this, the ontology provides a semantic enrichment model for the CPT information extracted from CAD/CAM systems

STEP-based Conceptual Framework for Measurement Planning Integration

AbstractMeasurement aims to check the product conformance or to control the manufacturing processes’ parameters. It needs to be planned in an integrated and interoperable manner with other manufacturing activities. Integration of measurement planning is based on the information provided by the design phase. This paper aims to assist the interoperability of the measurement plans through introducing the resource-independent measurement specifications (RIMS) concept. The paper presents a conceptual framework for representing a STEP-based measurement features from the coordinate metrology perspective. The proposed framework supports the direct formulation of the measurement process specifications in an operation-based manner and the realization the process control functionality of the measurement processes

Integrated training in using different Coordinate Measuring Systems to support Digital Manufacturing

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Modeling and Representation of Geometric Tolerances Information in Integrated Measurement Processes

Modeling and representation of geometric tolerances information across an enterprise is viable due to the advances in Internet technologies and increasing integration requirements from industry. In Integrated Measurement Processes (IMP), geometric tolerances data model must support different models from several well-defined standards: including ASME Y14.5M-1994, STEP, DMIS, and others. In this paper, we propose a layered conformance level geometric tolerances representation model. This model uses the widely applied ASME Y14.5M-1994 as its foundation layer by abstracting most information from this standard. The additional geometric tolerances information defined by DMIS and STEP is incorporated into this model to form corresponding conformance layers that support IMP. Thus, different application domains in an enterprise can use this data model to exchange product information. This model is further transformed with XML Schema that can be used to generate XML instance file to satisfy geometric tolerances representation requirements in IMP

Integrated training in using different Coordinate Measuring Systems to support Digital Manufacturing

Highly qualified labour force is a key resource for growth. In modern manufacturing, the competent use of advanced measuring equipment for inspection and digitization of parts is an essential competence that is needed for both advanced product/process engineering and quality control. Coordinate Metrology (including 3D digital measuring technologies) is by far the most important tool for these specialized activities. As widely reported, the individuals operating the measuring systems - with their decisions - are frequently one of the most relevant error sources in Coordinate Metrology operations, especially when dealing with new measuring technologies supporting Digital Manufacturing (e.g. Computed Tomography, Fringe-projection, Reverse Engineering). The paper reports the intermediate results of an initiative aiming at innovating training in Coordinate Metrology, focused on supporting the needs of SMEs in the supply chain of the automotive industry. The main target group are industry employees operating in SMEs that are newcomers on 3D measuring technologies. An integrated concept for training in Coordinate Metrology has been developed using a blended learning approach, based on a 10-steps structure and incorporating the learning outcomes required to operate different measuring systems in a consistent way

Towards a definition of PLM-integrated dimensional measurement

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) enables knowledge about products to be captured and reused. Since dimensional measurement is used to determine the size and shape of the products about which PLM is centered, we contend that it is an important process to integrate. Building on emerging industry-accepted standards, a framework was developed in an effort to define what integrating dimensional measurement with PLM involves. Following a survey of the state-of-the-art against this framework and a critical review, technology gaps are identified, and key challenges and research priorities are highlighted. © 2013 The Authors

Metrological characterization of 3D imaging systems: progress report on standards developments

A significant issue for companies or organizations integrating non-contact three-dimensional (3D) imaging systems into their production pipeline is deciding in which technology to invest. Quality non-contact 3D imaging systems typically involve a significant investment when considering the cost of equipment, training, software, and maintenance contracts over the functional lifetime of a given system or systems notwithstanding the requirements of the global nature of manufacturing activities. Numerous methods have been published to “help” users navigate the many products and specifications claims about “quality”. Moreover, the “best” system for one application may not be ideally suited for another application. The lack of publically-available characterization methods from trusted sources for certain areas of 3D imaging make it difficult for a typical user to select a system based on information written on a specification sheet alone. An internationally-recognized standard is a vehicle that allows better communication between users and manufacturers. It is in this context that we present a progress report on standards developments to date in the diverse, but finite, world of non-contact 3D imaging systems from the nanometre to the 100 m range

Standards for smart manufacturing: A review

Manufacturing is becoming smart with capabilities of self-awareness, autonomous decision-making, and adaptive excitation and collaboration. Standardization is a crucial enabler for achieving the required intelligence for smart manufacturing. Though a large number of efforts have been made to the development of manufacturing standards, there is still a significant research gap to be fulfilled. This paper reviews the landscape of existing standards in the context of smart manufacturing and offers guidance on the selection of the standards for different smart manufacturing applications