Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 09:54:31 -0600 From: "Kenzo" <kenzo_chin@hotmail.com> To: <freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG> Subject: Re: manufacturing Message-ID: <DAV34bLyn7IjdMZNs8c000091a8@hotmail.com> References: <DAV36060DMM2iMdeZvW00009336@hotmail.com> <3E427E09.10005@potentialtech.com>
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----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Moran" <wmoran@potentialtech.com> To: "Kenzo" <kenzo_chin@hotmail.com> Cc: <freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG> Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 9:23 AM Subject: Re: manufacturing > Kenzo wrote: > > My boss just presented me with an Idea. > > He wants for me to build couple computers to use on the manufacturing floor > > using linux or Freebsd. > > I set up almost the exact same system for a client of mine. They _do_ use > Windows, however, and I'll explain why (although I can't say that I think > it's the best possible solution). > 1) The database that tracks all their engineering data was written in > Foxpro (although that's going to change) and Fox only runs on Windows. > 2) Their engineering drawings are in AutoCAD. AutoDesk provides the Volo > view software that give pan/zoom capabilities in a read-only package. > Again, only runs in Windows. And Volo view is free (dollar-wise). > 3) The hardware itself was trickled down when the admins got their "new" > computers that were trickled down from engineering. IOW, the computers > are about 5 years old, and already had Windows on them from when they > were new. > > > The computers will only need a web browser and some type of remote control. > > How are you going to view CAD files in a web browser? (I'm curious, I may be > able to use the info) > For remote control, ssh can be scripted to do commands. If you're sure about > the security of your network, you could even use rsh. > I don't think that they will view CAD drawings. Our webmaster will create an application that will make it easy for the people posting the pictures to load them into the server. > > The reason is this. > > We're a manufacturing plant, with of course a manufacturing line. On the > > lines, they have drawings and schematics, that the workers need to look at. > > well right now, what they do is print those out and post them at every > > workstations. > > what they would like is a computer at every workstation that can use a > > browser to look at a webpage where the drawings and schematics will be > > located. > > I can give you 2 pieces of information on this plan ... > 1) It's well worth the time and effort, makes everything easier and more > likely to be up to date and correct. > 2) It probably won't go as smoothly as you like. We found that the > engineer's drawings weren't nearly as organized as they claimed, and > the results were mistakes and shop workers sitting around the engineering > department while the engineers figured out where the drawings were. The > result was also that engineering has gotten a lot more organized ;) > > > They don't feel like spending 500 bucks for a new windows machine, so we > > figure we could just use our old computers for that. > > Makes sense. Most shop environments are hell on computers, and they'll have > quite a short lifespan. > > > They will also need some type of remote control, they were thinking that one > > operator would be in charge of connecting to all the computers and opening > > the webpage. I was thinking of using someting like VNC. > > Oops ... that may be a tall order for ssh or rsh. You could also set up a > single machine and make the rest X-terminals. > > > Now, what would be the best way to accomplish this? > > He is more geared toward a linux box with redhat, but I would rather setup a > > computer with Freebsd that would do all the trick. > > what x-window manager should I use? > > Were it me, I'd use something plain-jane like Enlightenment or twm or some > other minimal WM, to keep them from playing around. > > > what should I use for web browser? > > Mozilla, Opera, or Galeon. > > > Will using VNC work? > > Probably, but test the performance first. > > > I was thinking of only connecting a monitor to those > > workstations and have no keyboards and mouse. > > How do the users control things then? You're going to have the shop manager > control everything completely? Interesting twist. We found it to be very > efficient to let the operator control their own computer. But then again, > the software I wrote allows them to click on the job they're working on and > the drawing they need just pops up ... so the back-end logic is important > to the success of that scheme. Yes our plan is to only have one person per assembly line controlling the computers so that they will all see the same thing. I would like to think that if we give them all control over the computers, they would only use it for work, but I find that people like to play around and see what they can get away with. > > -- > Bill Moran > Potential Technologies > http://www.potentialtech.com > To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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