Cutting-tool management in computer-integrated manufacturing

Abstract

Abstract. The problem of cutting tool management has been brought to the forefront with the emergence of computerintegrated manufacturing (CIM) and, in particular, flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). The financial and operational ramifications of effective tool management has spurred considerable research in this area during the past decade and many researchers are proposing sound solutions to various facets of this broad-ranging and difficult problem. This paper identifies critical areas of research for the development of tool management systems in CIM. To develop a framework for this, the paper examines and categorizes work in academia and in industry on the management of cutting-tools in CIM and describes some key implementations, particularly in the metalcutting industry. The solution of manufacturing problems generally demands an eclectic approach, and for this reason, we have tried to taxonomize, describe, and critique the various research thrusts in an attempt to provide a synthesis of use in more unified approaches.

A constraint programming model for the scheduling of flexible manufacturing systems with machine and tool limitations

“…In addition, FMS-scheduling problems are strongly affected by the number of tool copies at hand. Veeramani et al (1992) and Mohamed and Bernardo (1997) emphasized that the lack of proper attention to this number can prevent manufacturing systems from achieving their maximum flexibility and may result in an unacceptable level of downtime, leading to a reduced FMS productivity. Thus, the tool planning subproblem, which determines the required number of tool copies to achieve the production requirements, is another critical issue associated with the problem.…”

Scheduling with tool changes to minimize total completion time: A study of heuristics and their performance

“…Gray, Seidmann, and Stecke [7] and Veeramani, Upton, and Barash [20], in their surveys on tool management in automated manufacturing systems, emphasize that the lack of tool management considerations often results in the poor performance. Kouvelis [9] similarly reports that tooling costs can account for 25-30% of both fixed and variable costs of production; also see Tomek [19].…”

Minimizing total flow time on a single flexible machine

“…Even though the flexible machines' tool magazine capability has increased with the advances in the new technologies, the number of tools required for the operations has also increased due to the added part complexities. The tool switching problem has been recognized in tool management literature (see, e.g., Gray et al, 1993;Veeramani et al, 1992) since the last decade. The relevant literature has considered mainly two objectives: minimizing the number of tool switching instants and minimizing the number of tool switches.…”