A sensor-driven approach to Web-based machining

The objective of this research is to develop a framework named Wise-ShopFloor and the enabling technologies for collaborative manufacturing in a decentralized environment. Particularly, this paper presents our latest development on Web-based and sensor-driven remote machining. Once a product design is given, its process plan and NC codes are generated by using a distributed process planning (DPP) system. The NC codes are then used for remote machining via a standard Web browser and a Java GUI interface running inside the browser. In this paper, the focus is given to the concept, architecture and a prototype implementation of the enabling technology. A case study of a test part machining on a 5-axis milling machine is also completed for testing and validation. It is expected that the developed technology can be applied to design verification via remote machining as well as real part production in a distributed manufacturing environment.