Discrete Cell Controller: Engineering and Configuration Management

DCC - 8823

Keywords cell controllers, ship building, shop-floor controls

Start Date: To be announced / Duration: 30 months

[ contact / participants ]

Objectives

The objective of the DCC project is to develop a methodology, software components and an open application framework for cellular manufacturing. The DCC elements provide the means to design and build appropriate systems, use the best multi-vendor components and empower autonomous cell operation, while co-operating with other production and engineering teams.

The majority of existing cell controllers have proved inflexible once installed, acting as a barrier to any process of continuous improvement. Systems at the manufacturing cell level still tend to be assembled from a number of separate sub-systems, frequently from different vendors. This gives rise to significant difficulties in achieving a fully integrated manufacturing solution. Fully bespoke cell control solutions are increasingly regarded as an expensive and complex alternative. The DCC project, through the provision of an open architectural framework, will allow those disparate manufacturing applications to interoperate, without degradation of their functionality.

The DCC project's results will result in:

• reduced development time, costs and risks for implementation of cell controllers
• a flexible cell controller architecture giving better integration and better utilisation of manufacturing applications
• improved competitiveness and profitability for a wide range of European manufacturing enterprises
• commercial advantage for European Systems vendors over strong international competition

Deliverables from will include:

• a methodology for designing, installing and operating effective manufacturing cells
• a practical open software and communications framework for cell controllers
• prototype software product and methods ready for subsequent productisation and commercial exploitation by the industrial partners.

Activities during the project will define user requirements; prepare a reference framework and systems specification; develop DCC system software and foundation methodologies; prototype and verify DCC installations at two pilot sites; and disseminate and exploit project deliverables.

CONTACT POINT

Mr Terry Allen
Reflex Manufacturing Systems Ltd
The Fleming Centre
Fleming Way, Unit D
UK - Crawley RH10 2NN
tel: + 44 / 293 560 111
fax: + 44 / 293 55 1486

Participants

REFLEX MANUFACTURING
SYSTEMS - UK - C
HYPERION ENERGY SYSTEMS - IRL - P
INTRACOM SA - GR - P
IPK - D - P
ODENSE STEEL SHIPYARD - DK - P
ROBOTIKER - E - P
WZL - D - P

DCC - 8823, December 1993

please address enquiries to the ESPRIT Information Desk

html version of synopsis by Nick Cook