ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC METHODS IN-PROCESS CONTROL

The purpose of process diagnostics and resulting actions is to maintai n product quality and to protect equipment, machines, and tools from d amage and humans from injuries. Increased diagnostics will also reduce machine downtime, reduce scrap and increase productivity. This paper will explore techniques to monitor ''usual'' behavior, recognize devia tions, identify the source(s) of trouble and suggest or apply correcti ons, in conjunction with the use of different programming languages an d their inherent capabilities for process diagnostics. (C) 1998 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.