Actual Conceptual Design Process for an Intelligent Machining Center

Abstract The conceptual process in design proceeds in the order “Performance → Mechanism → Structure,” and advances through “Application and Evaluation” in what may be thought of as a conceptual development spiral. In actual designs, these spirals are repeated and the process proceeds in the order “Conceptual sketch → Plan drawing → Final plan drawing.” Progress in the conceptual process corresponds to equivalent progress in the detail design operation. “Eight design principles for machines” and “Six design principles for intelligent manufacturing systems” are proposed. By using these principles, a fundamental structure for intelligent manufacturing systems is established and applied to the design of an intelligent machining center that has been built and tested. Testing and evaluation of the machining center that was developed verified the validity and the effectiveness of the proposed concepts.