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Session 3150

A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NON-SITE BASED HANDS-ON CURRICULUM FOR ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Immanuel Edinbarough, Manian Ramkumar

The University of Texas at Brownsville / Rochester Institute of Technology

Abstract This paper discusses the development of an intelligent architecture for web-based programming & control of an automated manufacturing cell. The cell consists of a three-axis TERCO CNC milling machine, an IBM SCARA robot and a raw material feed station. The cell components are integrated using a data acquisition system (DAS), programmed using Visual Basic and controlled through the web. A dedicated web page provides the users the opportunity to learn CNC programming and its control from remote sites. When the user submits a CNC program, the server in the lab takes control and executes various routines to complete the machining of the part automatically. The remote user can witness the operation of the cell through a real video feedback on the web page. Details pertaining to the development, integration and remote operation of the automated manufacturing cell is presented in this paper. The feasibility of providing non-site based hands-on engineering and technology education is also explored through this project.

I. Introduction

The advent of the world-wide-web has tremendously influenced the way in which industry and academia perform various activities. More and more academic institutions are starting to recognize the vital link that the web provides between the faculty and the students. As the web savvy students demand specialized attention for customized curriculum and training, it becomes the responsibility of the academia to provide new information technology based solutions, to satisfy these needs. In this regard, an attempt has been made to develop an automated cell capable of providing non-site based hands-on course in engineering and technology education. The main challenge in this effort is the remote programming and control of the robot and CNC machine. Details pertaining to the intelligent control architecture, system programming, information interchange, networking aspects of the cell and the issues related to the non-site based hands on training are presented in this paper.

Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2001, American Society for Engineering Education

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Ramkumar, M., & Edinbarough, I. (2001, June), A Feasibility Study For The Implementation Of Non Site Based Hands On Curriculum For Engineering Technology Education Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9270