Distributed Intelligent Maintenance System for CNC Machine Tools Based on Kansei Engineering

Intelligent maintenance system (IMS) is a potential selection for modern CNC machine tools. Based on the theory of Kansei engineering (K-E), a new distributed intelligent maintenance system (DIMS) has been developed for CNC machine tools. The DIMS is mainly composed of expert base, engineer station, K-E operator, concrete processes or conditions, and communication connections. The DIMS has an excellent merit of integrating advanced Kansei characteristics of expressing human's affections, feelings, emotions into the distributed maintenance units of CNC machine tools. In contrast to general intelligent maintenance system, this new DIMS is able to implant or translate the operator's feelings into the design parameters of intelligent maintenance system for CNC machine tools. A harmonious relationship between operator and CNC machine tools has been set up by adding operators' more recognition, understanding, and cooperative communications into modern CNC machine tools. The proposed DIMS is very flexible, high-efficient to the maintenance of CNC machine tools. Furthermore, this provides a new idea and vision for the creative, flexible design and development of the coming high-performance IMS for CNC machine tools.