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Web‐based design and manufacturing systems for micromachining: Comparison of architecture and usability
Author(s) -
Kim HyungJung,
Chu WonShik,
Ahn SungHoon,
Kim DongSoo,
Jun ChaSoo
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
computer applications in engineering education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.478
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 1099-0542
pISSN - 1061-3773
DOI - 10.1002/cae.20076
Subject(s) - usability , computer science , web application , engineering , engineering drawing , world wide web , operating system
Abstract In this paper, web‐based micromachining systems are compared with a commercial CAD/CAM system from the point of educational usability. The web‐based systems included in this study were MIcromachining System (MIMS) and SmartFab. In the MIMS architecture, a 3D model in STL format was read using the web browser, the file was sent to the web server where toolpath planner was located, and the NC code was reviewed by the designer through the web connection. In the SmartFab system, SolidWorks was used as the design interface with modified menus that support input parameters for micromachining. This additional function was available by SolidWorks API that provided links to the same toolpath planner as MIMS. In the commercial CAD/CAM case, without using any web connection, SolidWorks and CATIA were used for design, and PowerMill was used as a CAM tool. For each system, accessibility, user‐friendliness, toolpath‐reliability, and processing time were compared. Total of 91 students tested these systems in an undergraduate CAD class, and the user's feedback showed better performance of the web‐based system in accessibility, user‐friendliness, and processing time. However, reliability of the web‐based system should be improved to be more useful design and manufacturing system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 14: 169–177, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20076