Web-based design and manufacturing systems for micromachining: Comparison of architecture and usability

In this paper, web‐based micromachining systems are compared with a commercial CAD/CAM system from the point of educational usability. The web‐based systems included in this study were MIcromachining System (MIMS) and SmartFab. In the MIMS architecture, a 3D model in STL format was read using the we...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computer applications in engineering education 2006, Vol.14 (3), p.169-177
Main Authors: Kim, Hyung-Jung, Chu, Won-Shik, Ahn, Sung-Hoon, Kim, Dong-Soo, Jun, Cha-Soo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Architecture
Computer aided design
Computer aided manufacturing
Design engineering
design for manufacturing
Mathematical models
Micromachining
usability
web-based
World Wide Web
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In this paper, web‐based micromachining systems are compared with a commercial CAD/CAM system from the point of educational usability. The web‐based systems included in this study were MIcromachining System (MIMS) and SmartFab. In the MIMS architecture, a 3D model in STL format was read using the web browser, the file was sent to the web server where toolpath planner was located, and the NC code was reviewed by the designer through the web connection. In the SmartFab system, SolidWorks was used as the design interface with modified menus that support input parameters for micromachining. This additional function was available by SolidWorks API that provided links to the same toolpath planner as MIMS. In the commercial CAD/CAM case, without using any web connection, SolidWorks and CATIA were used for design, and PowerMill was used as a CAM tool. For each system, accessibility, user‐friendliness, toolpath‐reliability, and processing time were compared. Total of 91 students tested these systems in an undergraduate CAD class, and the user's feedback showed better performance of the web‐based system in accessibility, user‐friendliness, and processing time. However, reliability of the web‐based system should be improved to be more useful design and manufacturing system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 14: 169–177, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20076
ISSN:1061-3773
1099-0542
DOI:10.1002/cae.20076