Gaetano Messina

Manufacturing communication architectures

Abstract This paper deals with integration models for automated factories and then presents a model for discrete parts manufacturing developed by ISO. After a description of the main communication systems required in order to achieve a high degree of integration, the main communication features and the specific requirements of the various layers of the ISO model are analyzed. Lastly, the authors discuss MAP, MAP-EPA, Mini-MAP and CNMA communication architectures and the ISO Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS).

Robot network analysis

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the robot networks by pointing out the way in which the existing communication protocols and management functions of computer networks can be adopted to the robot networks. The hardware structure which allows us to obtain such networks is also discussed.

Software standardization integrating industrial automation systems

Abstract In order to achieve the maximum level of integration, it is necessary to develop appropriate standards for both software and communication systems. As far as the latter are concerned, the work of the international standardization organizations has already given results which will soon be used by manufacturers, vendors and users of industrial automation systems. Of great interest, however, in the industrial environment is the recent setting up of standardization activity in various sectors linked to the development of software for industrial automation systems. In this paper, on the basis of the work carried out by ISO TC184, the authors anlyze the current state of development of standards for software to be used in industrial environments, and discuss foreseeable future orientations. In particular, the following standards are outlined: step (STandard for the Exchange of Product model data), which deals with a computer-interpretable representation of product data independent of any particular computer system; maple (Manufacturing Application Programming Language Environment), which is a structured set of tools needed for integration of different application programs in an industrial environment; icr (Intermediate Code for Robots) and plr (Programming Language for Robots), which are part of a robot system programming environment.

Robot programming languages standardization in manufacturing environment

On the basis of the ISO standardization activity in the field of the industrial applications of programming languages, this work describes the current state of the activity, and deals with the most important characteristics of these languages, pointing out their advantages and applicational limits. Some possible orientations for the development of this activity are discussed.

On the measured behaviour of a X.25 packet switching subnetwork

The aim of this paper is to present some measurements on the performance of a X.25 packet switching subnetwork and of a typical X.25 DTE-DCE interface. The communication parameters considered are the window size of the link layer flow control, the length and contents of the packets and the internode distance. The collected measurements on the X.25 subnetwork are compared with others obtained through different versions of DTE connected to the same subnetwork. Some considerations are presented about the time spent by the packets inside the DTE and consequently about the efficiency of the DTE version used in these experiments.

Microcomputer-controlled solar energy plants

Abstract Solar circuits are nearly always transitory in evolution. It is therefore necessary to control them dynamically. In this paper some solar plant configurations, which use flexible and economic microcomtrollers for both energy cycle and parabolic collector management, are examined. The paper points out some possible solutions based on priority for low energy costs. Principal advantages of using such microcontrollers are high operation continuity, reliability and user-oriented management.