System Interface Design For CAD/CAM-Simulink Data Exchange System Using MATLAB

Integration between advanced control system theory and automation tools and technology brings about advancement in machining technology in tandem with requirement for smart and flexible manufacturing system. The integration takes in the form of seamless and automatic data communication between a CAD/CAM system and the more advanced control systems technology. This paper presents an interface design of a novel CAD/CAM-Simulink Data Exchange System (CS-DES) which links part geometry design using CAD/CAM technology with position controller scheme and algorithm designed in Matlab/Simulink environment. The proposed CS-DES system enhances data automation through formation of the graphical user input reference interface of the machine tools control system using NC manufacturing codes data as the reference input signal. The framework and role of CS-DES are elaborated and described in detail including pseudocodes generation for the CAD drawing graphical data integrated with the controller scheme designed in Simulink. The CS-DES interface was designed using MATLAB graphical user interactive development platform. Functions related to the user interface design are discussed in this paper. Finally, the system interface design of the data exchange system is expected to further enhance versatility of existing control system performance of a machine tool via creation of flexible input reference forms hence improving system accuracy, efficiency and productivity

The Paradigm of Pit - Stop Manufacturing

The context in which manufacturing companies are operating is more and more dynamic. Technological and digital innovations are continuously pushing manufacturing systems to change and adapt to new conditions. Therefore, traditional planning strategies tend to be inadequate because both the context and short - term targets are continuously changing. Indeed, one of the goals of manufacturing companies is to keep manufacturing systems efficiently running, and reduce and control the impact of disruptive events, that may originate from different sources, not always known or well defined. In order to do so, manufacturing systems should be kept relatively close to the current optimal condition, while, at the same time, taking into account information about future possible events, which may require new optimal conditions. In fact, the reaction time to the change must be short, in order to remain competitive in the market. In addition companies to be competitive should lead the introduction of changes therefore they have to be both reactive and proactive. From this analysis, the new paradigm of ‘pit - stop manufacturing’ is introduced, in which the overall goal is to dynamically keep the manufacturing system close to an improvement trajectory, instead of statically optimizing the system. It is shown how the ‘pit - stop manufacturing’ deals with various aspects of current manufacturing systems, therefore providing novel research questions and challenges