A web-based remote machining cell

The developed system has integrated network technology, a CNC machine, an engraver, a robot, a conveyor and an on-line CCD camera forming a remote machining cell. The JAVA programming language was adopted in enabling the developed remote machining cell to be a platform independent system; and CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) technology was used to bridge the integration with control devices. Users can use this system to learn to operate remote facilities such as feeding a work piece and machining the work piece via the distributed Internet. The remote machining cell can also be online monitored through networked CCD video connection. This system can be used to enhance the CNC, FMC, and CIM courses for undergraduate students and is expected to integrate with Virtual Reality technology for future network-centric and Information Technology enhanced digital lecturing systems.