Use of open source distribution for a machine tool controller

William P. Shackleford; Frederick M. Proctor

doi:10.1117/12.417244

2 February 2001 Use of open source distribution for a machine tool controller

William P. Shackleford, Frederick M. Proctor

Proceedings Volume 4191, Sensors and Controls for Intelligent Manufacturing; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.417244
Event: Intelligent Systems and Smart Manufacturing, 2000, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

In recent years a growing number of government and university las, non-profit organizations and even a few for- profit corporations have found that making their source code public is good for both developers and users. In machine tool control, a growing number of users are demanding that the controllers they buy be `open architecture,' which would allow third parties and end-users at least limited ability to modify, extend or replace the components of that controller. This paper examines the advantages and dangers of going one step further, and providing `open source' controllers by relating the experiences of users and developers of the Enhanced Machine Controller. We also examine some implications for the development of standards for open-architecture but closed-source controllers. Some of the questions we hope to answer include: How can the quality be maintained after the source code has been modified? Can the code be trusted to run on expensive machines and parts, or when the safety of the operator is an issue? Can `open- architecture' but closed-source controllers ever achieve the level of flexibility or extensibility that open-source controllers can?

Citation Download Citation

William P. Shackleford and Frederick M. Proctor "Use of open source distribution for a machine tool controller", Proc. SPIE 4191, Sensors and Controls for Intelligent Manufacturing, (2 February 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.417244

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