Machine Tool Industry Adoption of Software Certification Processes

Abstract

The quality built into machine tool equipment is a function of rigorous controls and attention to detail by manufacturers. Quality measures taken by the manufacturers often include the implementation of quality assurance programs. The physical production quality measures of their equipment are well known; however, measuring software quality is only just beginning to be of interest to both manufacturers and users. Several machine tool controller manufacturers were interviewed to gain a better understanding of what, if any, embedded software quality assurance measures are being used by the machine tools industry. Additionally, interviews were conducted with several major machine tool users to get their perspectives. It was determined that while manufacturer's support ISO 9000 certification for their manufacturing processes, they do not certify the controller software component. Furthermore, it was consistent among those users interviewed that a strategic advantage existed for the manufacturer that offers certification of the controller software/firmware.

• CNC
• controller software
• machine tools
• quality
• quality processes
• software certification

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. K. Crain

J. K. Crain is head of the Department of Industrial Engineering & Technology at Texas A & M University-Commerce. Prior to joining Texas A& M University-Commerce, Crain was an employee of E-Systems, Inc., an International Aerospace corporation, for more than three decades with extensive engineering software management and software application development experience. Crain is an ISO auditor, a lead assessor for the Carnegie Mellon SEI Software Capability Maturity Model, and is employed by Honeywell, Inc., and Dynacs MDI to perform ISO audits for NASA of NASA subcontractors worldwide. Crain is a licensed professional engineer and has a bachelor's degree in mathematics, a master's degrees in computer science and industrial technology, and a doctorate in industrial technology. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].

David Wierschem

David Wierschem is an assistant professor of Business Computer Information Systems at Midwestern State University. He earned his doctorate in management information systems and master's degree in operations research from the University of Texas at Dallas and his MBA from Georgia State University. His research interests include academic data warehousing, culture and technology, software certification, and end-user productivity.