Title: Manufacturing bidirectional data flows in advanced collaborative CAD/CAM/CNC chains. Case study: manufacturing traceability in STEP-NC

Authors: Julio Garrido Campos, Luis Rodriguez Miguez

Addresses: Departamento de Ingenieria de Sistemas y Automatica, Universidad de Vigo, E.T.S.I. Industriales, Campus Lagoas Marcosende, 36200, Vigo, Spain. ' Departamento de Ingenieria de Sistemas y Automatica, Universidad de Vigo, E.T.S.I. Industriales, Campus Lagoas Marcosende, 36200, Vigo, Spain

Abstract: This paper presents the research done to integrate manufacturing traceability data and traceability processes in CAD/CAM/CNC chains. This implies a bidirectional data flow as traceability requirements have to be communicated downstream while the resulting collected data will be communicated upstream in the supply chain. The applied research has been developed over STEP-enable manufacturing environments, taking advantage of feature technology. The paper proposes a feature-linked mechanism between traceability information and product (CAD/CAM, etc) information to automate traceability activities: traceability requirements specification, traceability data collection and traceability data management.

Keywords: CAD; computer-aided design; CAM; computer-aided manufacturing; CNC; computer numerical control; manufacturing traceability; STEP; standard for the exchange of product data; STEP-NC; ISO 10303; quality management; e-manufacturing; electronic manufacturing; bidirectional data flows; data collection; data management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2009.023752

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.16 No.4, pp.343 - 360

Published online: 10 Mar 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article