A methodology of setting module groups for the design of reconfigurable machine tools

The modular design of reconfigurable machine tools (RMTs) is the key enabling technology to reconfigurability. A systematic methodology for setting the constituent modules of RMTs is proposed in this paper. According to the structural and functional characteristics of the components that construct the machine tools, the geometry modules and the basic structure modules are generated, and on this basis, the conceptual autonomous functional modules of RMTs can be constructed. According to the reconfigurable manufacturing process planning for a part family, the optimal processing plans of a family of parts can be obtained, which include a series of processing segments. And through the generated motion-schemes of a RMT of each processing segment, the RMT configurations can be constructed from a set of the autonomous functional modules to meet the process requirements. Finally, a set of RMT modules with particular sizes and structures can be generated, which will be used to construct RMTs to accommodate required changes in existing products or parts. Taking the production of a gearbox part family as an example, the validity of the method is verified.

[1]  Yoram Koren,et al.  Design of reconfigurable manufacturing systems , 2010 .

[2]  Jared Padayachee,et al.  MODULAR RECONFIGURABLE MACHINE TOOLS: DESIGN, CONTROL AND EVALUATION , 2009 .

[3]  Hae-Jin Choi,et al.  Design and dynamic analysis of an arch-type desktop reconfigurable machine , 2010 .

[4]  Deyi Xue,et al.  Optimal Design of a Reconfigurable Machine Tool Considering Machine Configurations and Configuration Changes , 2017 .

[5]  Yong Mo Moon,et al.  Design of Reconfigurable Machine Tools , 2002 .

[6]  M. Hashemian,et al.  An Integrated Modular Design Methodology for Life-Cycle Engineering , 1997 .

[7]  Shawn P. Moylan,et al.  Reconfigurable data driven virtual machine tool: Geometric error modeling and evaluation , 2015 .

[8]  Victor B. Kreng,et al.  Modular product design with grouping genetic algorithm - a case study , 2004, Comput. Ind. Eng..

[9]  Glen Bright,et al.  Modular machine tools: Design and barriers to industrial implementation , 2012 .

[10]  Hungsun Son,et al.  Design and dynamic analysis of three degrees of freedom desk-top reconfigurable machine , 2009, 2009 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics.

[11]  Joel C. Huegel,et al.  Design, refinement, implementation and prototype testing of a reconfigurable lathe-mill , 2013 .

[12]  Matthias Finkbeiner,et al.  Addressing Sustainability and Flexibility in Manufacturing Via Smart Modular Machine Tool Frames to Support Sustainable Value Creation , 2015 .

[13]  Reuven Katz,et al.  Design principles of reconfigurable machines , 2007 .

[14]  Yoram Koren,et al.  Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems , 2003 .

[15]  Jürgen Fleischer,et al.  Mechanical module interfaces for reconfigurable machine tools , 2007, Prod. Eng..

[16]  Li Chen,et al.  Optimal Module Selection for Preliminary Design of Reconfigurable Machine Tools , 2005 .

[17]  A. Y. C. Nee,et al.  Design and development of 3–DOF modular micro parallel kinematic manipulator , 2006 .

[18]  Kristin L. Wood,et al.  A heuristic method for identifying modules for product architectures , 2000 .

[19]  T. Moriwaki,et al.  Multi-functional machine tool , 2008 .

[20]  Yoonho Seo,et al.  Structure modeling of machine tools and Internet-based implementation , 2005, Proceedings of the Winter Simulation Conference, 2005..

[21]  Hoda A. ElMaraghy,et al.  Assessment of manufacturing systems reconfiguration smoothness , 2006 .

[22]  F. Jovane,et al.  Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems , 1999 .

[23]  A. Galip Ulsoy,et al.  Non-commercial Research and Educational Use including without Limitation Use in Instruction at Your Institution, Sending It to Specific Colleagues That You Know, and Providing a Copy to Your Institution's Administrator. All Other Uses, Reproduction and Distribution, including without Limitation Comm , 2022 .

[24]  Z. M. Bi,et al.  Development of reconfigurable machines , 2008 .

[25]  Khumbulani Mpofu.  Machine Morphology in Reconfigurable Machine Tools , 2012 .

[26]  Angelo Oreste Andrisano,et al.  A review on artificial intelligence applications to the optimal design of dedicated and reconfigurable manufacturing systems , 2014, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology.

[27]  Yoshimi Ito,et al.  Modular Design for Machine Tools , 2008 .