Part and tool flow management in multi-cell flexible manufacturing system

Abstract

Simulation techniques have been proven as reliable and powerful tools in the design, development, evaluation and operation of manufacturing systems. The following paper presents a simulation-based work done for the part and tool flow management modeling in a multi-cell flexible manufacturing system @'MS). The objective of this research was to develop a simulation model which could analyze the system in detail, and provide a basis for analyzing the effects of part and tooling strategies on major cell performance measures. An overview of the system is given and an example application is presented to illustrate how the part and tool flow management simulation design system operates.

Design of a tool management system for a flexible machining facility

“…Economic and eVective solutions to the tool management problems in FMFs are becoming increasingly important. There is clear evidence of major hardware developments by machine tool builders, towards increasingly sophisticated networks for the¯ow and exchange of tools among the tool stores [5,6]. Recent developments in computerized tool management systems and improvements in data handling, particularly with the growing use of tools that carry built-in data chips, well-organized machine, cell and factory level tool stores and sophisticated handling systems, have made easier the solutions to the problems that arise in TMSs [7].…”