Progress in Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems

Reconfigurable manufacturing systems suit the rapid adaptability of manufacturing facilities and organizations. In contrast to flexible manufacturing systems, reconfigurable manufacturing systems are designed for a spectrum of parts which is unknown at the time of configuration. Previous approaches to the design of reconfigurable manufacturing systems introduced machines performing a combination of specific manufacturing steps. This paper presents a concept for a general manufacturing system, based on components with standardized interfaces. The components constitute a modular construction system. Analyses of the applicability of the interfaces to endure the forces and moments of metal cutting processes are presented and discussed. K e y w o r d s : Reconfiguration, Design, Interface