Data acquisition and monitoring in machine tools with CNC of open architecture using internet

This paper presents a proposed system for data acquisition and monitoring of manufacturing process in machine tools with CNC of open architecture, using the Internet. It was applied to evaluate workpiece dimension and, indirectly, tool wear, as well as sharing shop floor information, in real time, in any place through Intranet and/or Internet, aiding the whole integration of the manufacturing system. The proposed system was developed and tested initially in a CNC lathe with open architecture. However, it can be extended to other machines and processes, lines or cells of mass production as well. In the first experiments, the system was capable of maintaining uniform, within a closer tolerance, the diameter of a batch of 30 workpieces, changing from an ISO IT13 quality to ISO IT09. It was also possible to share on-line information about the process, production and technological parameters, by Intranet/Internet, using only a HTML page navigator .