Intelligent Manufacturing
University of Michigan - Dearborn
Corey L. Watkins
IMSE 538 INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING
Instructor: Dr. Yubao Chen
Semester Project
SUMMER 2012
Summer 2012, IMSE 538 Term Paper:
1|Page
Intelligent Machining Centers
Throughout history, few advancements in technology can rival the barrier breaking impact of computers. This is especially evident in the advancement of
CNC technology. For, cutting edge CAD/ CAM programs, Neural Networks (NN), and super- fast processors have enabled computerized machining centers to make decisions without direct human input. These autonomous machines have progressed from enormous machines into compact milling marvels no larger than, depending on the application, a small office. The subject of this research paper will be to detail the basic process of Intelligent Machining Centers, its technological advantages, as well as its distinctive application limitations.
There is no doubt that the manufacturing industry today has been decimated by countless layoffs, retirements and attrition. I feel that, this unfortunate reality has played a significant role in the diminished mental perception of the manufacturing industry, and its many subset career fields. The once cornerstone of American ingenuity is no longer looked upon by young adults as the staple of middle-class prosperity. This mass exodus from both the classroom and the plant floor has left the manufacturing industry with a severe shortage of qualified personnel to fill today’s high-paying careers. It can be stated that, for every individual leaving the industry, it’s not just their physical presence being removed, but it’s their accumulated knowledge and experiences throughout their careers; this level of intellectual property cannot simply be replaced. Despite their advancements, “current CAM systems cannot generate the NC program(s) considering the machinability. So, the decisions
Summer 2012, IMSE 538 Term Paper:
2|Page
Intelligent Machining Centers
regarding cutting
Corey L. Watkins
IMSE 538 INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING
Instructor: Dr. Yubao Chen
Semester Project
SUMMER 2012
Summer 2012, IMSE 538 Term Paper:
1|Page
Intelligent Machining Centers
Throughout history, few advancements in technology can rival the barrier breaking impact of computers. This is especially evident in the advancement of
CNC technology. For, cutting edge CAD/ CAM programs, Neural Networks (NN), and super- fast processors have enabled computerized machining centers to make decisions without direct human input. These autonomous machines have progressed from enormous machines into compact milling marvels no larger than, depending on the application, a small office. The subject of this research paper will be to detail the basic process of Intelligent Machining Centers, its technological advantages, as well as its distinctive application limitations.
There is no doubt that the manufacturing industry today has been decimated by countless layoffs, retirements and attrition. I feel that, this unfortunate reality has played a significant role in the diminished mental perception of the manufacturing industry, and its many subset career fields. The once cornerstone of American ingenuity is no longer looked upon by young adults as the staple of middle-class prosperity. This mass exodus from both the classroom and the plant floor has left the manufacturing industry with a severe shortage of qualified personnel to fill today’s high-paying careers. It can be stated that, for every individual leaving the industry, it’s not just their physical presence being removed, but it’s their accumulated knowledge and experiences throughout their careers; this level of intellectual property cannot simply be replaced. Despite their advancements, “current CAM systems cannot generate the NC program(s) considering the machinability. So, the decisions
Summer 2012, IMSE 538 Term Paper:
2|Page
Intelligent Machining Centers
regarding cutting
Cited: Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P.R Elsevier Science, 1998. Print. Beyond Intelligent Manufacturing: A New Generation of Flexible Intelligent NC Machines 44 (2008): 1+ 40.15 (2002): 1+. Web. 05 June 2012. <http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals>.