Data management for error compensation and process control

Strategies for managing data flow are described for a system which controls processes to compensate machine tool and process errors. A CAD representation of the part is the basis for generating the data used in the processes and analyses. A process-oriented view of part features is used for tracking data regarding design, part programming, manufacture, error compensation, and inspection. Part ID and file name nomenclature have been developed to facilitate data identification. All data are stored in a database, enabling error trends over time to be studied so that error compensation algorithms may be refined.