A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1997

Most CNC, motion and discrete control applications within the automotive industry incorporate proprietary control technologies. There are difficulties associated with using propriety technologies such as vendor-dedicated pricing structures, non-common interfaces, higher integration costs and the requirement of specific training for trouble shooting and operation. A controller with an open, modular architecture will provide benefits such as reduced initial system cost, simplified integration efforts, easier incorporation of diagnostic functions for the controller, machine and process and better integration of user proprietary knowledge. The main objective of this study is to define an open architecture computer numerical controller. The expectation is that through awareness and a better understanding of customer needs such products will become available in the market place. The study also analyses some commercial solutions for open architecture numerical controllers. Through that analysis the customers can know where they are today and access the degree of openness among controllers companies offer.