• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.805-815
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• 1994

The development of automatic production systems has a trend toward Computer Integrated Manufacturing System(CIMS) in recent years. In hardware configuration, CIMS are composed of intelligent CAD/CAM work stations, multifunction CNC machining centers including material handling systems. The DNC systems present the key element of automation hierarchy in a FMS. A DNC system is one which connects a number of numerically-controlled machines to a common memory in a digital computer for part program storage with provision for on-demand distribution of part program data to machines using communication in hierarchical structure of central computer, control computer and cell controller. This paper describes the development of Behind-the-Tape-Reader(BTR) type DNC system using CYBER 180-830 as a central computer and IBM PC-386 cell control computer and NC lathe with FANUC 5T NC controller. In this system, the connection between central computer and cell control computer is done via RS-232C serial interface board, and the connection between cell control computer and FANUC 5T controller is done via parallel interface board. The software consists of two module, central computer communication module for NC program downloading and status uploading, NC machine running module for NC operating.