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As a cost effective solution to making microcontroller based systems “J1850[1] aware”, a peripheral device (the HIP7010) was developed to extend the capabilities of standard microcontrollers. From the perspective of the Host, the peripheral device handles J1850 messages as a series of bytes (similar in concept to a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter [UART]). The architecture of the HIP7010 is discussed. The design of the J1850 interface, state machine, status/control blocks, cyclical redundancy check (CRC) hardware, host interface, and fail-safe features are detailed. Illustrations are provided of: Host/HIP7010 interfacing; message transmission and reception; error handling; and In-Frame Response (IFR) generation.

CADCAM is generally agreed to be a technique that can lead to major productivity gains. Its use can lead, among other things, to reductions in time cycles, reductions in costs, and improvements in quality. However, recent evidence shows that many companies using CADCAM are not achieving these benefits. A lot of information has been published on subjects such as the potential benefits of CADCAM and benchmarking procedures used in selecting a CADCAM system. However, these subjects are of little help to a company that has purchased a CADCAM system and is trying to use CADCAM profitably and in line with company objectives. This paper proposes solutions to some of the problems facing such companies. Topics include: the definition of CADCAM objectives; allocating CADCAM costs; necessary activities in implementing successful CADCAM; supporting use of CADCAM; CADCAM as a tool for innovation.

Systrid is a CAD/CAM software package originally developed at the Helicopter Division of the French company Aerospatiale. It was brought into use at Aerospatiale in 1974. Systrid was developed to be used in the design and NC machining of the complex surfaces (or sculptured surfaces) that are so frequent in the helicopter industry. From 1977 onwards, the Battelle-Geneva Research Centres have marketed and further developed Systrid. It was recognised that the system could also be used in other industries with major requirements for complex surface handling. Today, Systrid is used by about a dozen European companies in the aerospace, automobile and turbine industries. From 1983 onwards, Systrid will be made available in the U.S. by the Battelle Columbus Laboratories. This article will concentrate on the automotive applications of the system. It is divided into three parts - a description of the system, how it is implemented, and examples of its use.