SELF-ADAPTIVE COMPUTER CONTROL OF A SHIP FRAME BENDING MACHINE, PART II

The design and implementation of a minicomputer control for a ship frame bending machine is described. This project automates frame fabrication by using cold-forming four-point bending techniques. The control software can accept data produced by the AUTOKON computer system and can automatically account for springback and for errors in bending or feeding by a self-adaptive algorithm. The Case Western Reserve bending system incorporates state-of-the-art computer technology to upgrade the beam bending operation to a faster and more accurate process that is free of many previously unavoidable human errors. The machine also employs principles of mechanics, made practical by the improved electronic control, that produce a structurally superior bend. Although beam bending represents a small fraction of the total costs of shipbuilding, the potential exists for reduced construction costs throughout the ship assembly process. Potential applications of this system are in no way limited exclusively to shipbuilding.

• Corporate Authors:

  Case Western Reserve University

  Digital Systems Laboratory
  Cleveland, OH  United States  44106

  National Science Foundation

  Research Applied to National Needs
  Washington, DC  United States  20550
• Authors:
  • Mergler, H W
  • Wright, DKJ
• Publication Date: 1976-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 244 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic control; Beams; Bending; Cold forming; Computer programs; Computers; Frames; Machine tools; Metal working; Minicomputers; Numerical control; Productivity; Ship structural components; Shipbuilding; Shipyards
• Old TRIS Terms: Adjusting; Automatic control systems; Beams (Support); Cold bending; Computer systems programs; Frame bending machines; Metal bending; Shipyard mechanization
• Subject Areas: Construction; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00154596
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NSF/RA0760394
• Contract Numbers: NSF-GI-35994
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1977 12:00AM