Process Control for Sheet-Metal Stamping Process Modeling, Controller Design and Shop-Floor Implementation Introduction

Abstract

Controlling a manufacturing process can increase productivity, reduce cost and improve quality. In this chapter the role of automation and process control in manufacturing is introduced. In a manufacturing process control system appropriate indicators of process performance are measured, and then used to adjust the process to achieve consistency in the presence of disturbances. Process control has been developed for many manufacturing processes, such as machining and semiconductor fabrication. Process control for stamping is a relatively new development and is introduced here and then discussed in detail in the remainder of this book.