Computer Numerical Control (CNC) controllers are high value-added products counting for over 30% of the price of machine tools. The development of CNC technology depends on the integration of technologies from many different industries, and requires strategic long-term support. Theory and Design of CNC Systems covers the elements of control, the design of control systems, and modern open-architecture control systems. Topics covered include Numerical Control Kernel (NCK) design of CNC, Programmable Logic Control (PLC), and the Man-Machine Interface (MMI), as well as the major modules for...

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems are now the backbone of the information systems in many commercial companies and public sector organisations. The intended benefits of these systems are well known (coping with the fragmentation of former information systems, providing functional integration and supporting best practices for instance). Yet, their implementation in a company is still a traumatising project, with these difficulties being reported in many articles and books explaining reasons for failure, listing conditions of success, or suggesting project management methods aimed...

Success in the continuous process industries depends upon the ability to adapt to the demands of global supply chains in real-time. Thus, process plants must be designed to be easily reconfigured as and when necessary. A Distributed Coordination Approach to Reconfigurable Process Control presents research that addresses this issue, via developing a new distributed framework that will enable the building of a process control system that is capable of reconfigurability. This framework views the process as a set of readily-integrated, modular process elements, which operate relatively...

Manufacturing is the backbone of any industrialized nation. Recent worldwide advances in manufacturing technologies have brought about a metamorphism in the industry. Fast-changing technologies on the product front have created a need for an equally fast response from manufacturing industries. To meet these challenges, manufacturing industries have to select appropriate manufacturing strategies, product designs, manufacturing processes, work piece and tool materials, and machinery and equipment. The selection decisions are complex as decision making is more challenging today. Decision...

With the rapid development of information and network technologies and market requirements, new challenges in supply chain design and management have emerged. Notably, there are four new technologies which can affect traditional supply chain management: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology; mobile transaction technology; information handling and storage technology; and multi-agent technology. These new technologies enable global companies to change their ways of thinking about supply chain management in order to cope with the changing environment. In line with this rapid...

Manufacturing systems and processes are becoming increasingly complex, making more rational decision-making in process control a necessity. Better information gathering and analysis techniques are needed and condition-based monitoring is gaining attention from researchers worldwide as a framework that will enable these improvements.

Condition Monitoring and Control for Intelligent Manufacturing brings together the world s authorities on condition-based monitoring to provide a broad treatment of the subject accessible to researchers and practitioners in manufacturing...

In today s competitive world, industries are focusing on shorter lead times, improved quality, reduced cost, increased profit, improved productivity and better customer service. As ERP and other information management systems have been widely implemented, information growth poses new challenges to decision makers in areas ranging from shop floor control to supply chain management and design.

Frontiers in Computing Technologies for Manufacturing Applications presents an overview of the state-of-the-art intelligent computing in manufacturing. Modelling, data processing,...

This book presents new optimization algorithms designed to improve the efficiency of tool paths for five-axis NC machining of sculptured surfaces. The book covers both the structure of the SLAM problem in general and proposes a new extremely efficient approach. It can be used by undergraduate and graduate students and researchers in the field of NC machining and CAD/CAM as well as by corporate research groups for advanced optimization of cutting operations.