Disclosed is a method for monitoring and/or controlling a chemical plant (12) with multiple assets via a distributed computing system (10) with more than two deployment layers (14, 16, 30, 32, 34), wherein the deployment layers (14, 16, 30, 32, 34) comprise at least two of a first processing layer (14), a second processing layer (16, 32, 34) and an external processing layer (30), the method comprising the steps of: providing (60) a containerized application (48, 50) including an asset or plant template specifying input data, output data and an asset or plant model, deploying (62) the containerized application (48, 50) to execute on at least one of the deployment layers (14, 16, 30, 32, 34), wherein the deployment layer (14, 16, 30, 32, 34) is assigned based on the input data, a load indicator, or a system layer tag, and executing the containerized application (46, 52, 54) on the assigned deployment layer(s) (14, 16, 30, 32, 34) to generate output data for controlling and/or monitoring the chemical plant (12), providing (66) the generated output data for controlling and/or monitoring the chemical plant (12).

A computerized method of machining a workpiece including, prior to machining the workpiece, establishing, based on empirical data obtained from machining activity at an earlier time, an historical mapping indicating pairings of depth of cut and rpm at which undesirable chatter (UDC) did not occur during machining activity at an earlier time using at least one given type of milling machine, at least one given type of cutting tool and at least one given type of workpiece material, prior to commencing machining of the workpiece, programming a machine tool to machine the workpiece using a given type of milling machine, a given type of cutting tool and a given type of workpiece material at at least one depth of cut and rpm, which, based on the historical mapping, avoid UDC and operating the machine tool in accordance with the programming to machine the workpiece.

A binary punch marker identifies pipes and welds at joints of pipes, and a system and method fabricate such a binary punch marker. The binary punch marker has information encoded by recesses in the marker for identifying the pipes and welds. The information is encrypted to prevent forgery of metallic assets such as pipes, pipelines, storage tanks, etc. during inspection of the metallic assets.

A contour accuracy measuring system and a contour accuracy measuring method are provided. The contour accuracy measuring system captures location coordinate data of shafts of a machine tool. The location coordinate data are calculated to obtain a first true round trajectory on an inclined plane as reference information. The contour accuracy measuring system then adjusts parameters of the locations of the shafts based on the location coordinate data of the shafts of the reference information to generate a second true round trajectory on the inclined plane, so as to get to know whether the locations of the shafts after the parameters are adjusted comply with a standard. Therefore, the overall measurement process can be speeded up by automatically measuring the parameters and automatically testing an operating status.

The method can include measuring the tridimensional positions of a reference feature for a first at least three different angular positions of the reference feature around the first rotation axis and a same first reference angular position around the second rotation axis, the reference feature being fixed relative to the component; and measuring the tridimensional positions of the reference feature for a second at least three different angular positions of the reference feature around the first rotation axis and a same second reference angular position around the second rotation axis.

Systems, devices, and methods including: receiving, by an interpreter component having a processor with addressable memory, a first state of a tool of a computer numerical control (CNC) machine; determining, by the interpreter component, a reward and a value of the reward based on the received first state, where the reward is at least one of: positive and negative; transmitting, by the interpreter component, a set of information comprising the determined reward and the value of the reward to an agent component; performing, by the agent component, at least one action to generate a tool path and to proceed to a second state, where the second state is combined with the first state; and determining, by the agent component, the generated tool path based on the determined reward and value associated with the at least one action.

A computerized method of machining a workpiece including, prior to machining the workpiece, establishing, based on empirical data obtained from machining activity at an earlier time, an historical mapping indicating pairings of depth of cut and rpm at which undesirable chatter (UDC) did not occur during machining activity at an earlier time using at least one given type of milling machine, at least one given type of cutting tool and at least one given type of workpiece material, prior to commencing machining of the workpiece, programming a machine tool to machine the workpiece using a given type of milling machine, a given type of cutting tool and a given type of workpiece material at at least one depth of cut and rpm, which, based on the historical mapping, avoid UDC and operating the machine tool in accordance with the programming to machine the workpiece.

It is possible to make data for manufacturing devices available in a standard format using an adapter that would automatically interrogate the device and use the information gained from the machine to generate a data translation file. The data translation file could subsequently be used by an agent to interpret a data stream provided by the adapter for the manufacturing device.

An apparatus and method for calibrating an automated wire bending machine is provided that includes a camera system comprising a camera and a lens configured with a focal plane fixedly positioned relative to a bending surface provided on the automated wire bending machine. The disclosed apparatus and method further includes a processor device configured to interpret images captured by the camera system. The apparatus and method measures an actual angle formed in a wire while a bent portion of the wire is substantially within the focal plane of the camera system, and a memory device stores values generated during a calibration sequence of the automated wire bending machine. The values correspond to the actual angle and a target angle provided for the calibrating of the automated wire bending machine.

A computer numerically controlled machine may include a source configured to deliver an electromagnetic energy to at least one location within an interior space of the computer-numerically-controlled machine. The electromagnetic energy may have a first range of wavelengths from a visible spectrum. An enclosure defining at least a portion of the interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine may include a transparent portion configured to filter the first range of wavelengths associated with the electromagnetic energy. Moreover, the transparent portion may reflect and/or transmit at least a second range of wavelengths from the visible spectrum not associated with the electromagnetic energy such that the transparent portion of the enclosure exhibits a first color corresponding to the second range of wavelengths.