Multimedia Superabrasive, Laser Cladding, and Waterjet Technology Performance Support System

The objective of this project was to create a system that delivered the appropriate information to the machine tool user just when needed and in the most appropriate form. The expertise of FM&T in the areas of instructional system design and multimedia creation was employed. Huffman brought together their subject matter experts from engineering, manufacturing, technical writing, and technical support. AlliedSignal FM&T worked together with Huffman as a design team to determine what tasks must be accomplished throughout the machine tool production phases, who performs those tasks, what skills are utilized, and what information is required to support the tasks. This project resulted in the identification of information flow throughout the life cycle of the machine tool products. Specialized tools required for assembly and calibration procedures were identified and their images captured, digitized, and stored for easy retrieval within the PSS. Subject matter experts were interviewed to determine which tasks require highly specialized knowledge and skills. These tasks were then performed on actual machines and the technicians' actions captured on video tape. The resulting video segments were edited, digitized, and integrated into the information system portion of the PSS where they are available for viewing alongside procedural information presented on the computer display screen of the machine tool controller. Information from Troubleshooting experts were interviewed regarding the symptoms and root causes of system malfunctions. This knowledge was captured and fault trees were developed. These trees were then incorporated into an expert system as a rule base. The troubleshooting portion of the PSS presents simple questions to the machine operator in order to determine the likely cause of malfunctions and then recommended corrective actions. Newly created and existing reference information was both created and re-purposed from other existing formats, then incorporated into the electronic information retrieval portion of the PSS. On-line reference manuals covering Operations, Maintenance, Mechanical, Electrical, and Peripherals provide text and illustrations to the machine operator in a traditional structure, but additionally offer the capability to search voluminous amounts of technical data and retrieve specific information on request. This project provided the project team with a detailed understanding of the knowledge and information required to produce and support advanced machine tools. In addition it resulted in the design and construction of a prototype Grinders PSS that contains all the logic and interfaces necessary to integrate product information from the Huffman Waterjets and Lasers product lines