Manufacturing Technology: Enabling Technologies for Agile Manufacturing

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to manufacturing paradigms, coordinate systems, feedback devices, and control systems from the Manufacturing Technology lecture notes.

Craft Production

A manufacturing paradigm started around $1850$ characterized by very small volume per product and pull-based business models (sell-design-make-assemble).

Mass Production

A paradigm introduced in $1913$ focusing on low-cost products, high product volume, and a push-based business model (design-make-assemble-sell) enabled by the moving assembly line.

Mass Customization & Personalization

A paradigm started in $2000$ driven by globalization and fluctuating demand, utilizing Information Technology as a technology enabler.

Cartesian Axis System

A system defined by the perpendicular distance from three mutually perpendicular axes: $X$, $Y$, and $Z$.

SCARA

A robot configuration featuring $2$ or $3$ rotary axes, resembling the movement of a human arm.

World Reference Frame

A universal coordinate frame where robot joints move simultaneously to create motions along the three major $x-y-z$ axes.

Joint Reference Frame

A coordinate frame used to specify movements of each individual robot joint, where only one joint moves at a time.

Tool Reference Frame

A frame attached to the robot's hand that defines motions relative to the local $x'$, $y'$, and $z'$ axes of the hand.

Incremental Encoders

The most common encoders that provide a digital pulse for each resolvable position, which are counted and referenced to a home position.

Absolute Encoders

Feedback devices where every position is unique and the device does not lose its position data when power is removed.

Direct Measurement

A method of measuring linear displacement using a scale secured to the slide or table, where an encoder picks up information optically.

Indirect Measurement

A method where slide traverse is represented by rotation, and an encoder records the rotational movement of a pulse disc to calculate displacement.

Open-Loop Control

A control system, often using stepper motors, where the unit assumes the desired position is achieved without feedback or positioning compensation.

Closed-Loop Control

A system using variable $DC$ motors (servos) and positioning sensors to provide feedback, compare information to target locations, and correct errors.

Point to Point

A CNC motion system category that has no contouring capability.

Straight Cut Control

A motion system where only one axis of motion is controlled at a time for machining.

Contouring

A motion system where multiple axes are controlled simultaneously to create complex paths.

G-code

Preparatory functions in manual part programming used for Computer Numerically Control machines.

RAIL

A high-level robot language based on Pascal and implemented on a Motorola–$68000$ processor, designed by Automatix in $1981$ for arc welding and inspection.

Inductosyn

A type of hardware feedback system used for positional feedback in numerically controlled systems.