CYBERCUT - A WORLD-WIDE-WEB BASED DESIGN-TO-FABRICATION TOOL

For some time there has been an expectation that a ''mechanical MOSIS' ' system will soon become available to mechanical designers for the ra pid manufacture of functional prototypes. Recent advances in client-se rver interaction, automated process planning, and rapid manufacturing services now make it possible to provide a World Wide Web based, seaml ess CAD/CAPP/CAM system, Currently, the following services are provide d via the internet: (1) a design-for-manufacture CAD interface, writte n in Java(TM), (2) a choice between two CAPP systems, and (3) access t o an open architecture machine tool for fabrication of mechanical part s. Together, these modules comprise CyberCut, a mechanical design and manufacturing service. CyberCut is the extension of an already proven Integrated Manufacturing and Design Environment (IMADE) into a distrib uted agent environment. It will provide users access to a rapid protot yping service in a Variety of materials, with the +/-0.002 in. toleran ces made possible by typical CNC machining.