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Content archived on 2024-04-15

Plant Availability and Quality Optimisation

Objective

The objective of this project was to develop technology for the efficient integration of process and machine monitoring and diagnostics with the control of discrete parts manufacturing plants at the machine and cell level. It aimed to provide such plants with a degree of fault tolerance through improved control during abnormal or fault conditions, thus maximising plant availability, product quality and operational safety.
The objective of this project was to develop technology for the efficient integration of process and machine monitoring and diagnostics with the control of discrete parts manufacturing plants at the machine and cell level. It aimed to provide such plants with a degree of fault tolerance through improved control during abnormal or fault conditions, thus maximizing plant availability, product quality and operational safety.
An early demonstration of the methodology was made during 1986 using a stand alone milling machine. This was fitted with various sensors, including a unique tactile machine spindle which was designed and built by the consortium. Real time model based diagnostics of the cutting process, as well as of the machine drives, was demonstrated, together with a net based software tool permitting the application of expert knowledge to machine surveillance and action planning. A full scale demonstration of an integrated fault tolerant control system operating with a flexible machining cell was achieved to conclude to project in December 1988. This included the use of a prototype modular data acquisition and analysis computer which has now been commercially exploited. The system operated through a local area network. Cell control was coordinated by an expert cell controller operating on a personal computer (PC).
An early demonstration of the methodology was made during 1986 using a stand-alone milling machine. This was fitted with various sensors, including a unique "tactile" machine spindle which was designed and built by the consortium. Real-time model-based diagnostics of the cutting process, as well as of the machine drives, was demonstrated, together with a net-based software tool permitting the application of expert knowledge to machine surveillance and action planning.
A full-scale demonstration of an integrated fault-tolerant control system operating with a flexible machining cell based in Spain was achieved to conclude the project in December 1988. This included the use of a prototype modular data acquisition and anal ysis computer, designed and built by the consortium, which has now been commercially exploited at other sites. The system operated through a local area network developed by the Spanish partners; cell control was coordinated by an "Expert" cell controller operating on a PC.
Exploitation
Automated monitoring and diagnostics integrated with machine or cell control offers financial benefits due to the reduction in waste, lesser machine damage, and increased productivity through higher machine availability and more efficient rescheduling.Commercial exploitation of the computer hardware and software in the area of real-time process surveillance and diagnostics, and also of the system integration tools, is well advanced.

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

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Coordinator

Stewart Hughes Ltd
EU contribution
No data
Address
Chilworth Manor
SO9 1XB Southampton
United Kingdom

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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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Participants (7)

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