Modular Architecture Design Of Reconfigurable Machine Tools For Agile Manufacturing

Modular Architecture Design of Reconfigurable Machine Tools for Agile Manufacturing

In industry, agile manufacturing is gaining more and more attention. To support agile manufacturing, reconfigurable machine tool has been introduced, which can be reconfigured to satisfy different machining requirements. In the early stage of reconfigurable machine tool design, machine tool architecture design is an important issue. Due to the lack of information in the early design stage, it is difficult to generate and select feasible machine tool architecture solutions. In light of this challenge, the purpose of this thesis is to develop a systematic modular architecture design methodology for reconfigurable machine tools. For illustration and validation, the methodology has been applied to an illustrative design problem. The results demonstrate the applicability and validity of the proposed methodology. The design methodology proposed in this thesis consists of three stages: module identification, module selection, and module layout synthesis. Module identification is to collect module components (building blocks) for the reconfigurable machine tool to be designed. In particular, the module identification stage involves two steps: decomposition of the existing machine tools into module components and establishment of a module component library as the selection space for the module selection stage. Module selection is to evaluate the selected module components and select an optimal set of module components for the reconfigurable machine tool design. The module selection stage involves two steps: determination of the functional requirements required to manufacture a target part family and selection of module components from the module component library. Module layout synthesis is to generate reconfigurable machine tool architecture solutions (which are represented by module layouts) and select the desired architecture solutions according to a set of criteria. The module layout synthesis stage involves two steps: module layout generation and module layout selection. In module layout generation, the methods for generalized layout enumeration, generalized layout enumeration are presented. In module layout selection, reconfigurability, structural stiffness, and error sensitivity are treated as three module evaluation criteria and selection is performed based on the indices of those criteria.

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Enterprise Networks and Logistics for Agile Manufacturing

Enterprise Networks and Logistics for Agile Manufacturing presents a focused collection of quality chapters on state-of-the-art research efforts in the areas of enterprise networks and logistics, as well as their practical applications towards agile manufacturing. With the increasing decentralisation of manufacturing systems and outsourcing of processes, more robust and practical approaches and systems are needed to support agile manufacturing operations. Enterprise Networks and Logistics for Agile Manufacturing consists of two major sections: the first presents a broad-based review of the key areas of research in enterprise networks and logistics; the second focuses on an in-depth treatment of a particular methodology or system relevant to the book title. Examples include: • sustainable green supply chain; • value creation and supplier selection; • extended enterprise network management; • reverse logistics; and • innovative supply chain systems. The authors take into account the need to pose intellectual challenges while retaining a balanced approach in terms of scope versus depth and theory versus applications. Enterprise Networks and Logistics for Agile Manufacturing can be beneficial to academic researchers, practicing engineers and managers, and graduate students with an interest in any manufacturing sectors. It can enable them to better understand the present state and future trends of research in this important area, in order to position themselves strategically for future challenges as we enter the era of agile and distributed manufacturing.