Modular Reconfigurable Machine Tools: Design, Control and Evaluation

Abstract

The reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) paradigm encapsulates methodologies that enable manufacturing systems to cope effectively with market and product changes. This research presents the design and evaluation of modular reconfigurable machine (MRM) tools as a novel machining solution within the scope of RMS. Mechanical and control designs are presented, outlining the development of this novel machining system. The property of hardware modularity displayed by MRMs enables an adjustment of system functionality and the synergistic redistribution of system resources between production streams, thus facilitating inter-process capacity scaling. Scalable production capacity and adjustable system functionality are the key objectives of reconfigurable manufacturing. Index terms: Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems, Modular Reconfigurable Machines, Open Architecture Control, Modular Machine Control OPSOMMINGDie paradigma van 'n herkonfigureerbare vervaardigingstelsel (HVS) bevat metodologieë waarmee vervaardigingstelsels kan tred hou met mark-en produkveranderings. Die navorsing hou die ontwerp en evaluering van modulêre masjiengereedskap voor as 'n nuwerwetse oplossing vir die herkonfigurasievraagstuk. Meganiese-en beheerontwerpe word voorgestel vir die ontwikkeling/ontplooiing van nuwe masjineringstelsels.Die modulêre eienskappe van 'n HVS werk stelselplooibaarheid in die hand via 'n sinergistiese herdistribusie van stelselbronne aan produksievloeie om sodoende verlangde proseskapasiteit tegemoet te kom.128

A conceptual development of reconfigurable drill machine tool (RDMT)

“…Table 2 outlines the characteristics of basic and auxiliary modules. [12], Abdi [5] Explained the concept of reconfigurability for reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) Padayachee et al [13,14], Padayachee and Bright [15] Proposed different types of mechanical modules' (i.e. basic and auxiliary modules) for machine tool.…”

A morphology proposal in commercial-off-the-shelf reconfigurable machine tools

“…More recent works include the multifunctional machine tool (Moriwaki 2008), reconfigurable multi-technology machine (Abele and Wörn 2009), modular reconfigurable machine tool (Padayachee, Bright, and Masekamela 2009;Padayachee and Bright 2012) and the commercial-off-the-shelf RMT (COTS RMT) (Mpofu, Kumile, and Tlale 2008;Mpofu and Tlale 2010). The list is not exhaustive but represents the developments that have occurred.…”

Approach to development of HMI screens for CNC with dynamic kinematics

“…In this regard, technological equipment, in particular CNC machines, must also be configurable for various production tasks. Configuration means the ability to change the kinematic structure of the machine by changing the modules included in the equipment [7,8]. Changing the composition of the modules (for example, adding a swivel head, adding a swiveling rotary table to a vertical milling machine) is possible due to the modular concept of building modern CNC machines.…”

“…The most advanced machines allow changing the kinematics without having to shut down the equipment. Of particular interest in this case is the change of kinematics by command in the control program [8].…”