TeleRP - an Internet web-based solution for remote rapid prototyping service and maintenance

This paper describes a methodology to create an Internet-based infrastructure to service and maintain RP-oriented tele-manufacturing. One of the most important applications of such an infrastructure is to support the closed-loop product development practice. The Java-enabled solution based on WWW/Internet computing model is used to implement the infrastructure. The main functions include the remote part submitting, queuing and monitoring. Under the control of different access competences, manufacturing sites and queues can be maintained, respectively, in distributed locations. A software testbed has been developed in Java to verify the methodology.