Arch-type Reconfigurable Machine Tool

The arch-type reconfigurable machine tool (RMT) is a full-scale reconfigurable machine tool, designed to provide customised flexibility in milling and drilling operations for a part family, i.e. V6 and V8 engine cylinder heads. The designed machine not only has to achieve the required kinematic task, but should also exhibit similar dynamic characteristic across all members of the part family to ensure specified productivity and quality levels in the manufacturing environment. This chapter begins with a brief introduction to reconfigurable manufacturing systems and reconfigurable machine tools, and later delves into the various RMT design considerations e.g. part family, machine specifications, workspace, and accuracy. The detailed design and construction of the arch-type RMT is described. This section also describes the research activities carried in the area of RMT design. The later part of this chapter discusses the variations in dynamic performance of the arch-type RMT across the various reconfiguration positions. The dynamic performance of the arch-type RMT is measured in terms of frequency response functions and stability lobe diagrams. It is observed, that for the arch-type RMT, the dynamic characteristics are similar across the part family, because the dominant frequency where chatter occurs comes from the tool-tool holder-spindle assembly. The machine dynamics is similar to many other industrial machines used for milling and drilling operations on similar sized workpiece, which are not designed to be reconfigurable. Thus, the arch-type RMT successfully demonstrates the concept of reconfiguration and its application in the machine tool industry.

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