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Qualitative process automation: self-directed manufacture of composite materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2009

Steven R. LeClair
Affiliation:
Wright Research and Development Center, Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-6533
Frances L. Abrams
Affiliation:
Wright Research and Development Center, Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-6533
Richard F. Matejka
Affiliation:
Universal Technology Corporation Dayton, OH, U.S.A.

Abstract

This paper addresses manufacturing research involving contributions in computer science, control theory and material processing science. The research objective has been to develop intelligent, †self-directed‡ control systems which enable in situ control path generation based on †product-processing‡ feedback. A †product-directed‡ control philosophy which emphasizes product quality is described together with a generic architecture for representing process knowledge. Specific details are presented involving the development and application of a self-directed material processing system for autoclave curing of composites together with recent research results, production challenges and future research in †self-improving‡ material processing systems.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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References

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