Yusri Yusof

The development of a new STEP-NC code generator (GEN-MILL)

The early NC machines and the current CNC utilise the same standard programming of G&M codes formalised as the ISO 6893 standard to machine parts with complex shape in a precise manner. However, the G&M code contains implicit technical information and does not meet the requirements of modern NC technology as it uses low level codes to describe tool movements and instructions. Literature shows that the current CNC is difficult to manage, modify and verify NC data easily. ISO 14649 referred to as STEP-NC is the result of an international effort to achieve full interoperability and bi-directional information exchange throughout the manufacturing network. STEP-NC has been designed in such a way that information remains in its context and without reducing to primitive instructions such as G&M code. This research will explore ISO 6983 (G&M code) together with ISO 14649 (STEP-NC) and utilise STEP-NC in overcoming the problems of G&M code and at the same time take advantage of current advances in computing and controllers. A new STEP-NC code generator (GEN-MILL) which focuses on the milling process that is able to generate STEP-NC codes based on Example 1 in ISO 14649 Part 11 was developed. The advantages of the proposed STEP-NC code generator (GEN-MILL) program was verified and evaluated by comparing the output generated by the software with ISO 14649 Physical File for Example 1. The STEP-NC code generator (GEN-MILL) can understand and generate STEP-NC codes through a STEP-NC compliant interface and will give industries and academicians more in-depth understanding and confidence to switch from G&M code to STEP-NC.

Comprehensive Review on the Utilization of PALF

The establishment of high-performance materials made from natural resources is increasing worldwide. Recently, there are exceptional accomplishments in green technology in materials science field via the development on natural fibers utilization due to sustainability and environment issues. One of the natural fibers that getting more attention is pineapple leaf fibers (PALF). Since PALF consist of high cellulose contents and mechanically sounds, it has seen a tremendous increase in use as reinforcement in polymer composites. This paper presented a comprehensive review of literature on the utilization of PALF nowadays. The PALF characteristics in terms of chemical composition and properties including mechanical properties, as well as thermal properties will be reviewed and summarized in this paper. Several studies have shown that the common modification methods used are silane and alkaline treatment. Finally, this review will conclude all the current developments and trends of PALF utilization as well as key issues that need to be considered for future works.

New technique for the interpretation of ISO 14649 and 6983 based on open CNC technology

Computer numerical control (CNC) controller is the termination organiser, which is located at the end of the manufacturing process chain. The CNC controller is composed of two modules: software and hardware. The software module of the controller is known as interpreter that translates International Standards Organization (ISO) data interface model instructions to the hardware parts of the controller in the required structure of the machine. The aim of next-generation CNC is to be portable, interoperable, flexible, open, intelligent and adoptable. In the progression towards the development of next-generation CNC systems, the problems of current ISO data interface model limitation and CNC machine vendor dependency were faced. In order to overcome these issues, the ISO standard (ISO 14649) and open architecture control (OAC) technology were introduced. In this paper, a new technique for the interpretation of both ISO data interface models has been presented. The developed module is specially designed for the OAC-based CNC systems that translate the ISO 14649-21 and ISO 6983 information to the CNC machine in required structure. The module also provides a shop floor editing facility and is also able to generate the physical file output in user-defined structure of .txt and .xml formats.

Development of new open soft-CNC system

Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machine has been widely used in the industries since its development, this technology had made a strong impact in the growth of the manufacturing world. Today in industries this technology has been used for various operations like milling, drilling, packing, welding etc. However, the rapid growth in the manufacturing world increases the demand of more flexibility in the CNC machines. Commercial CNCs were fail to provide flexibility because its structure was found to be of closed nature, which does not provide access to the inner features of CNC. In order to overcome that problem, Open Architecture Control (OAC) technology was introduced, at present Personal Computer (PC) has been the best platform for development of open-CNC system. In this paper, a new method of open-CNC development has been presented that utilized motion control card, universal motion control interface and various functional modules for position, spindle and tool changer motion control. The system was experimentally implemented on old 3 axis CNC milling machine and found to be satisfactory in performance. Overall, the proposed technique had enabled a minute part of sustainable manufacturing environment.

CNC machine system via STEP-NC data model and LabVIEW platform for Milling operation

CNC or Computer Numerical Control is a system that using CAD, CAPP, CAM and CNC called CAx chain for machining processes from design up to production stage. The Milling operation is one of the modern CNC systems for the machining processes for material removal and operated on the principle of rotary motion. Currently, ISO 6983 standard or G/M code is used as a data model for the CNC system, however, this programming language does not explicitly relate to each other to have control of arbitrary locations other than the motion of the block-by-block. As a solution, STEP-NC is a new implementation in CAx chains for manufacturing technology to replace a current standard. It plays a key role in the field of advanced manufacturing. In this paper STEP-NC data model part 10, 11 and 111 for milling are discussed and an open architecture of the controller via LabVIEW is proposed. In this proposed framework involved software and hardware platform. In order to integrate data between interpreter and LabVIEW of the data exchange platform realization methodology for the CNC system is determined in the mode of “offline.” As a result, an open CNC controller system is successfully integrated for 3-axis milling machine.

Review on PALF Extraction Machines for Natural Fibers

PALF (pineapple leaf fiber) is one of the abundant sources that have been used for ages to be processed as different end product. The methods to extract the fiber are abounding. However comparisons between the machines are needed to ascertain the better function of machines and whether all natural fibers can be extracted using the same exact machine. Data shown indicates that different types of methods used to extract the fibers and sometimes theoretically worked for certain types of fibers.

Producing Paper Using Pineapple Leaf Fiber

Experiments using pineapple leaf fiber as raw material in paper production have been conducted to assess the advantages in terms of mechanical properties, especially tensile strength, tearing strength and thickness of the paper. In this paper, samples of pineapple leaf fiber is mixed with a recycle newspapers in different composition of which is, 25%, 35%, 45%, 55%, 65% and 75% pineapple leaf fibers mixed with 75%, 65%, 55% , 45%, 35% and 25% of the recycle newspapers. The mixtures have been tested for mechanical properties and thickness by using the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) and micrometers. The results from tensile and tearing tests were then compared with data obtained from previous experiments. Through the observation of the experiment, it was found that the data obtained with similar experiments conducted previously. The results have been proved in tears testing and stress testing. Tearing test data shows that the longer the beating time imposed on the mixture, the lower the tearing force required to tear the paper samples. On the other hand, the tensile test results shows, the longer time beating the bear on the mix, the higher the tensile force should be imposed on the sample. The experimental results can help in the formulation of the pineapple leaf fiber-based paper production in accordance to the usage.

A STEP-Compliant Approach to Turning Operations

There is no doubt that today manufacturing is more competitive and challenging than ever before in trying to respond to “production on demand”. Due to the complexity of programming there is a need to model their process capability to improve the interoperable manufacturing capability of machines such as turning centres. This chapter focuses on the use of the new standard; ISO 14649 (STEP-NC), to address the process planning and machining of discrete turned components. It explores how ISO 14649 can be used to combine turning and milling operations to support interoperable CNC manufacturing of rotational asymmetric components at a single turning centre. The major contribution of this chapter is the creation of a computational environment for a STEP-NC compliant system for turning operations, namely SCSTO. SCSTO is the experimental part of the research, supported by specification of information models and constructed using a structured methodology and object-oriented methods. SCSTO was developed to generate a Part 21 file based on machining features to support the interactive generation of process plans utilising feature extraction. An important aspect was the need to overcome the complexities of component geometry including milling features so as to have the ability to manufacture turn/mill components.

An open STEP-NC controller via labVIEW platform

In future technology in the field of advanced manufacturing, an open architecture controller in CNC system is studied. In this paper, the LabVIEW software platform is chosen and software realization methodology for the CNC system is determined for this application. This research project aims to meet the requirement of open architecture to create a CNC system based on new ISO standards of ISO 14649 and ISO 10303. As a result, open 3-Axis Mill CNC system based on component software reuse technology successfully developed. Two case studies of ISO 14649 (example 1 and example 2) were carried out through this developed system.

Frame Work of LV-UTHM: An ISO 14649 Based Open Control System for CNC Milling Machine

Open control is a well known term in the field of machine control. This paper presents a framework of STandard for the Exchange of Product Data-compliant Numerical Control (STEP-NC) based open control system for Computer Numeric Control (CNC) milling machine. Real time control, high efficiency and low cost have been the main focus of proposed open control system. A method that develops open control system is composed of hardware and software platforms. Proposed open control system helps in to improves the quality of machining, increase productivity, saves times, avoid machine accidents, increase tool life and enables monitoring/inspection/control system for various machining processes and parameters online/offline.