Cloud-Based Platform for Optimal Machining Parameter Selection Based on Function Blocks and Real-Time Monitoring

Abstract

The way machining operations have been running has changed over the years. Nowadays, machine utilization and availability monitoring are becoming increasingly important for the smooth operation of modern workshops. Moreover, the nature of jobs undertaken by manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has shifted from a mass production to small batch. To address the challenges caused by modern fast changing environments, a new cloud-based approach for monitoring the use of manufacturing equipment, dispatching jobs to the selected computer numerical control (CNC) machines, and creating the optimum machining code is presented. In this approach the manufacturing equipment is monitored using a sensor network and though an information fusion technique it derives and broadcasts the data of available tools and machines through the internet to a cloud-based platform. On the manufacturing equipment event driven function blocks with embedded optimization algorithms are responsible for selecting the optimal cutting parameters and generating the moves required for machining the parts while considering the latest information regarding the available machines and cutting tools. A case study based on scenario from a shop floor that undertakes machining jobs is used to demonstrate the developed methods and tools.

Design for Additive Manufacturing: Trends, opportunities, considerations, and constraints

“…The direct digital nature of AM combined with the use of cyber-physical systems will allow for cloud-based AM [186]. The benefits of cloud-based approaches have already been demonstrated in process optimization [320], adaptive process planning [235], shop-floor planning [234], scheduling [236], and maintenance [237]. The benefits of higher quality, hybrid, high DOF, cyber-physical, and cloud-based AM systems are expected to be emergent.…”

A Cloud-Based Framework for Lean Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul of Complex Equipment

“…They also developed a cloud manufacturing systems as an application example. Tapoglou et al [32] proposed a smart factory concept. All the machines are monitored by sensor network, and the data will be further analyzed by a data acquisition system, and then sent to the cloud system for end users selecting optimal machining parameter.…”

Cloud-enabled prognosis for manufacturing

“…Fig. 25 illustrates the trend of developing cloud-enabled and knowledgebased tools for dispersed engineering teams to perform machine state identification [202], condition-based monitoring, prognosis, and maintenance actions collaboratively, using services enabled by the cloud. All functions of MPM are delivered as cloud-based services accessible via web browsers.…”

“…Many of these definitions emphasize manufacturing services and resource sharing as typical properties of CM [115,253,270,202]. They describe collaboration by network-based resources and capability sharing in the form of services between different cloud users (consumers, providers, and operators).…”