Integration of E-Quality Control Modules with Engineering Computer Numerical Control Laboratory

Abstract

The paper presents a major novelty in the integration of multidisciplinary web-basedquality control topics into the advanced manufacturing engineering technology as theexisting core discipline. This is aligned with a current trend for manufacturing industry,which includes remote monitoring/control/diagnosis, product miniaturization, highprecision, zero-defect manufacturing and information-integrated distributed productionsystems. The use of modern sensors and data acquisition instrumentation formanufacturing processes is implemented into computer numerical control (CNC)laboratory practices in undergraduate classes for Web-based measurement, inspection,diagnostic system, and quality control at Drexel University. The network hardware andsoftware components are integrated with quality methodologies to achieve maximumeffectiveness in teaching Web-based quality concepts in MET 316 CNC. In MET 316, a10-week upper-level undergraduate course was offered that included a classroomcomponent presenting lectures on CNC integrated with quality control principles andmethods, combined with hands-on laboratory sessions. The class includes productmanufacture and quality assessment measurements to support statistical data analysis in aquality control framework. Students made various measurements of CNC-machined partsusing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), machine vision (i.e., a charge coupleddevice (CCD) camera with image processing software), and laser scanning. Students thenanalyzed measurement data to compare measurement techniques (Gage R&R), establishpart variations, correlate quality metrics with process parameters, and optimize the CNCmachining process.