DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUXILIARY MACHINING MODULE FOR THE MACHINE TOOLS INDUSTRY

Abstract

Manufacturing competition has acted as a catalyst for the application of new technologies in industries. Successfully competitive manufacturing companies must be able to adapt quickly to changing conditions in the market, the environment and competitors' strategies within a shorter lead-time at a low cost. It is a logical deduction that due to the Manufacturing Industry's dependence on the Machine Tools Industry, an improvement in the machine tool sector would have either an immediate or a subsequent advantageous effect upon it. This project has developed a system, which will contribute to an improvement in workshop operations, by the provision of easily accessible and applicable machining operations data. Thus enabling and improving job accuracy and conformity to industrial standards. The design of the database for the prototype system is based on a relational frame with Microsoft Access Application package and Microsoft Structured Query Language Server; serving as the back end of the module. A user interface designed on the dot.net framework 3.5 and requiring the windows installer 3.1 running on windows XP operating system serves as the software front end. Performance Testing and implementation of the developed module, was done by carrying out query commands simulating real life and time applications. Integrity of results was checked by detailed comparison of results from the developed module, with standard values and confirming for strict adherence. A Paired t- Test was carried out to compare the results of manually calculated machine depreciation, with results generated by utilizing Software. Results from the developed module were accurate; module user-friendliness was achieved through the simplistic method employed for the module user interaction. Module utilization enabled elimination of rule-of-thumb, aided efficient machining operations; through its provision of standard data. The developed database provides a beginning for development of machining operations expert system. .