| 摘要 |
A system for implementation in a procedure in which parts are processed in processing units (for example, sintering furnaces) includes at least a first process tool operating at a first location (but not necessarily physically on location at the first location). The process tool includes a communication system to communicate with sensors and controllers used in at least a first processing unit at the first location and at least one processor in communication with the communication system and with a memory. At least one mathematical model is preferably stored in the memory. The mathematical model is adapted to calculate states of at least one parameter of the parts (for example, a physical state such as temperature, density of carbon content of parts in a sintering procedure) over time during the procedure upon execution of the mathematical model by the processor. The processor uses data provided by at least the sensors via the communication system to calculate the states. The process tool is preferably provided with or is in communication with a communication network to communicate data from the first process tool (including, but not limited to, data from the sensors, data from the controllers and the calculated states data) to at least one server located at a location different from the first location. Preferably, the processor of the first process tool uses the calculated states to adjust settings of the controllers to control the state of the at least one parameter of the parts (thereby providing a feedback control loop with direct information of the physical characteristic of the processed part). The communications network can, for example, be a global computer network such as the Internet.
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