Process Control System Considering the Machines Functional Flexibilities

The evolution of tool-machines shows a trend for integration of different machining functionalities such as, milling, turning, and drilling, on a same machine. These machines are result of the mechatronics development that allows the aggregation of different functionalities into a unique machine (named multifunctional machine tool - MMT). However from the point of view of the production process there is a limitation of the conventional process control solution, i.e., when the systems are composed by MMTs, their functional flexibilities are considered only during scheduling and encapsulated at this level, and during the process execution, MMTs are viewed as traditional ones. Then, the multi-functionalities are not explored for resources allocation. Thus, a new process control approach is proposed here to dynamically allocate the resources exploring the functional flexibilities of MMTs.