Generic manufacturing controllers

The cost of developing software for the factory is continuing to increase, due in part to the problems of integrating equipment and controllers from multiple vendors. It is emphasized that a consistent philosophy is needed for designing reusable code for integrating manufacturing control systems. It is suggested that the development of a generic controller would minimize the problem of redundant software. For a better understanding of this particular approach to a generic controller, an overview of the Automated Manufacturing Research Facility, a definition of a generic controller, and a description of results from development and implementation of a version of the generic controller are presented