Smart Machining Research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Published

September 23, 2003

Author(s)

Kevin K. Jurrens, Johannes A. Soons, Robert W. Ivester

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of collaborative research activities conducted by staff of the Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to address the enabling metrology and standards infrastructure needed for smart machine tools and smart machining processes. The research highlighted in this paper is directly applicable to the context of Small Lots Intelligent Manufacturing and contributes to technology advancements that will improve the productivity and competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. Machining processes, such as milling and turning, are a critical infrastructural competence, enabling the manufacture of products ranging from consumer goods to airplanes. Improvements in machining technologies have a highly leveraged impact on the economy and national security. Advanced machining processes and machine tools enhance productivity and product quality, while allowing for the manufacture of ever more complex parts. U.S. manufacturers are facing numerous challenges in the area of machining, such as higher accuracy requirements, shorter lead times, smaller batch sizes, outsourcing, and intense global competition. This environment does not allow for costly and time-consuming trial runs, off-line part inspections, and on-going adjustments to achieve required part accuracies and process efficiencies. To remain competitive, manufacturing requires accurate and reliable machines and processes whose characteristics are known and guaranteed for a wide variety of tasks and conditions. Productive, high-quality manufacturing will increasingly rely on smart machining: the ability to produce the first and every subsequent part on time and to specification through a science-based understanding and monitoring of the available machining processes and equipment with no significant time spent on process development or setup.

Conference Dates

September 2-3, 2003

Conference Location

Santa Fe, NM

Conference Title

Small Lots Intelligent Manufacturing Workshop

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

Adaptive Control, Conditioning-Based Monitoring, Machine Process Metrology, Machine Tool Metrology, Predictive Modeling, Smart Machining

Citation

Jurrens, K. , Soons, J. and Ivester, R. (2003), Smart Machining Research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Small Lots Intelligent Manufacturing Workshop, Santa Fe, NM (Accessed April 18, 2024)