Product Development Methodology for Machine Tools

(Usability Analysis of Man-Machine Interface)

Abstract

In machine tools industry, new product developments with global competitiveness are urgently required. In particular, a man-machine interface for machine tools plays a dominant role in success or failure in new product developments. Nevertheless, a desirable man-machine interface for CNC controller has not been investigated in the previous academic literatures. Performances of man-machine interface largely influence on usefulness or acceptability of the machine tools. In this study, therefore, a usability measure with multiple attributes was defined based on the results of interview investigations with some mature operators. And also, a structured method for identifying the important design items was proposed. Using the proposed method, mutual relationships among the design items of control panel of CNC controller were identified to improve usability.