The Manufacturing Process Control Laboratory comprises a research activity within the MIT Laboratory for anufacturing and Productivity.   The MPCL is focused on the problem of controlling the final output of unit manufacturing processes through the application of modeling, measurement and feedback control methods.  To date our applications have included welding, sheet metal forming and most recently micro embossing.  In addition to the use of advanced methods such as multivariable adaptive and self-tuning regulators for in-process control, we have also explored “cycle to Cycle” control whereby measurement and control adjustments are made between rather than within processing cycles.

The simple concept we pursue is captured by the block diagram below.  The key features are the distinction of the manufacturing equipment from the material being processed, and the distinction of equipment inputs from material inputs.  Finally, it makes clear that the ultimate variables to be controlled are those that correspond directly to the design specifications for the part.  

The basic philosophy of our group is contained in the note “Control of Manufacturing Processes” and the earlier review paper for the 25th Anniversary issue of the Transaction of the ASME, Journal of Dynamics Systems and Control

 

This research has also generated a graduate subject in Mechanical Engineering (2.830 Control of Manufacturing Processes) that can be accessed through MIT’s Open Courseware project at http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Mechanical-Engineering/index.htm
Department of Mechanical Engineering