Michael Collier, Ernest Bhero
College of Information and Electrical Engineering, Shandong University of Science & Technology Qingdao, 266510 China,Department of Electronic Engineering National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Abstract—The automation of several key processes in a factory in Zimbabwe is described. The plant is a producer of bolts and nails for the southern Africa region. Being built in the 1950s, the equipment was intended for manual operation. To improve efficiency and reduce overhead costs, this project was commissioned to add electronic intelligence to some of the processing equipment. In particular the conversion of forging furnaces to computer control and the intelligent implementation of heat-treatment processes are described. Results of the project in economic and quality terms are presented.
Keywords—ARMA model;automation; manufacturing; microcontroller; Zimbabwe.
Manuscript Number: 1674-8042(2010)supp.-0038-05
dio: 10.3969/j.issn1674-8042.2010.supp..10
References
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