MICROPROCESSOR-CONTROLLED MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

Microprocessor-based machine control will take advantage of the distributed intelligence philosophy in the control of single and integrated manufacturing processes. This includes not only the specific tasks of operating the machine tool (e. g. , sequencing, tool-work motion, and auxiliary functions) or supervising the operation of a group of machines, but responding to alarm and priority situations, self-diagnosis of malfunctions, optimization of aspects of either the single or integrated system, compiling performance data on the machine(s), and improving, or at least facilitating, man-machine interactions. Discussed in the paper are features of the state diagram approach that allow fault recovery and accounting functions as well as optimization. A comprehensive example of programming and optimization of a single and integrated manufacturing process is included.