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I Session 1620 -. .

Use of a PC-Based Open-Architecture Control System in Engineering Education

R. Bryan Greenway and Qiyi G. Zhang University of Kansas

Abstract

This paper describes the use of a PC-Based Open-Architecture Control System (OACS) for training engineers in the programming and control of manufacturing systems such as machine tools and industrial robots. In this investigation, PCs with motion control cards were integrated with a milling machine and a robot. Projects based on the use of OACS in engineering education include: 1 )cutting force measurement and control; and 2)motion command generation. This paper explains the basic structure and characteristics of an OACS as well as engineering principles and laboratory experiments which can be demonstrated and incorporated.

Introduction

Progress in manufacturing automation relies on the development of CNC machine tools, robotics and other industrial automation devices. While the structure of machine tools and robotics evolved relatively slow, the control algorithms and methodologies developed rather rapidly. Starting from the later 80s and early 90s, Open-Architecture Control Systems for machine tools, robotics and other automation manufacturing devices have been investigated worldwide. In the United States, several national laboratories, major industrial companies and university laboratories, including the KU CIM lab, have been involved. While some developed their own hardware, most used commercial motion controllers (like PMAC from Delta Tau Data System, PCX from Motion Engineering) incorporated in a personal computer. More detail information about the OACS research can be seen in [1]-[4]. Compared with the conventional closed type of controllers, the OACS have various advantages in flexibility, extendibility, and longevity. From an educational and research point of view, the OACS provide more access to the control system. Since the architecture is open it is easier to experiment with other aspects of motion control such as servo filter design, motion command generation, error compensation, and integration with other manufacturing systems. With an OACS testbed, a wide variety of research aimed to improve the manufacturing capability and quality has been proposed and investigated. This paper explains the basic structure and characteristics of an OACS as well as engineering principles and laboratory experiments which can be demonstrated and incorporated. In the second section of this paper, the challenge of OACS and basic concepts of an OACS as well as its development and perspectives are discussed. In Section three, the research work on OAS conducted at the KU CIM lab are summarized. Projects that involve using of OACS in engineering education are introduced in Section four. Finally, Section five gives the discussion and conclusion.

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Greenway, R. B., & Zhang, Q. G. (1996, June), Use Of A Pc Based Open Architecture Control System In Engineering Education Paper presented at 1996 Annual Conference, Washington, District of Columbia. 10.18260/1-2--6363