Flexible manufacturing
is the capability to change from one model part to another
entirely by a change in the data in a software program --
no change in tooling, workcell, or operator. The ArcDirector
System is an advanced software system for high speed digital
control of materials processing and manufacturing processes.
The result uses high speed digital signal processors (DSP),
made by Texas Instruments, for control, and intelligent
planning software for converting CAD models directly into
process plans and robot control programs.
Native American Technologies
Company has developed advanced methods to model, monitor,
and control processes such as arc welding systems. These
products are entirely based on DSP's and software with both
digital and analog input/output for connection to process
equipment, existing PLC's, CNC processors, wire Ethernet,
radio frequency (RF) networks in plants, cell phones, pagers,
PC's and other computers, etc.
Unlike the general purpose
computer processor that would be found in a Mac or a PC
computer, DSP's are special purpose. They are capable of
all types of processing, but are designed to do certain
functions up to many hundreds or thousands of times faster
than the best of today's general purpose processors like
the Pentium. This speed, flexibility, communications capability,
and low cost of DSP's offers significant advantages over
PLC or microcomputer based control systems in many applications,
including manufacturing. The tremendous speed and power
of PC computers is affordable only because the market for
them is very large and the electronic hardware can be produced
in extremely large quantities. The availability of single
board DSP computers at very affordable prices which are
mass produced and used for a wide range of purposes outside
of manufacturing, will provide a great increase in computing
ability with essentially no cost increase over today's manufacturing
controller systems.
