E-Commerce for the Metal Removal Industry

The purpose of our research project is to develop a “clean interface” between design and fabrication facilities for the production of custom machined parts. The research accomplishments are summarized: 1.Creation of a new format for data exchange, NCML (Numerically Controlled Markup Language), 2. Development of three prototype systems to illustrate how NCML can be effectively used to conduct E-Commerce for custom machined parts: FACILE/DESIGN – a system for creation, editing and macrosimulation of NCML files, FACILE/FABRICATE – a system for quote generation, process planning and toolpath creation from NCML files and EMILL – a system for matching buyers and sellers of custom machined parts. 3.Tested the methodology with a number of parts obtained from three different sources: The Design Repository located Drexel University, Manufacturing Quote Inc., a commercial company that is in the business of matching buyers and sellers of custom machined parts, and Stone Machine Co., a local machine shop that is typical of the type of fabrication facility which would use NCML.