70 -- NOTICE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A NEW PROJECT OF THE INTERNATIONAL INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS (IMS) PROGRAM NIST announces that its Sensor Integration Group is the point of contact for U.S. companies interested in participating in the Sensor-Fused Intelligent Monitoring System for Machining (SIMON) project of the IMS Program. Kang Lee, Leader of the Sensor Integration Group will serve as coordinator for NIST for IMS-SIMON. The goal of the international collaboration aims at developing a practical monitorning system that can reliably identify the actual cutting conditions based on information from sensor(s). Then combining sensor input and the knowledge of the machine, tooling, and machining process, algorithms will be developed to optimize the machining process to produce parts to tighter tolerances and higher quality finish. Companies and research organizations interested in advancing these and related technologies to improve their machining monitoring systems and applications are invited to participate in the IMS-SIMON project and are encouraged to learn more about the collaborative project. Work will be carried out by an international consortium which is organized and operates in accordance with the Terms of Reference for the participants in the Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Program. To obtain information, companies may contact Kang Lee, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8220, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8220. Phone: 301/975-6604, Fax: 301-990-3851, email: Kang.Lee@nist.gov. The terms of reference for participating in IMS projects are available at the IMS web site on hppt://www.ims.org/. Posted 11/18/98 (W-SN272697).

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