No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No 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

The economical production of mass customised and high variety goods is a challenge facing modern manufacturers. This challenge is being addressed, in part, by the on-going development of technologies that facilitate the manufacturing of these goods. Existing technologies require either excessive inbuilt flexibility or frequent changes to the machine set up to provide the manufacturing functions required for the customisation process. This paper presents design principles for automated assembly stations within the scope of mass customisation. Design principles are presented that minimise the hardware and operating complexities of assembly stations, allowing stations to be easily automated for concurrent mixed model assembly with a First In First Out (FIFO) scheduling policy. A reconfigurable assembly station is developed to demonstrate how the proposed design methods simplify the creation and operation of an assembly station for a product family of flashlights. OPSOMMINGDie ekonomiese vervaardiging van grootskaalse aangepaste en hoë verskeidenheid goedere is 'n uitdaging wat hedendaagse vervaardigers in die gesig staar. Die uitdaging word deels geadresseer deur die ontwikkel van tegnologieë wat die vervaardiging van hierdie goedere fasiliteer. Bestaande tegnologieë vereis egter uitgebreide ingeboude aanpasbaarheid of gereelde veranderinge aan die masjienopstelling, om die vervaardigingvermoë deur die aanpassings proses vereis, te verskaf. Hierdie artikel hou ontwerpbeginsels voor vir geoutomatiseerde monteerstasies binne die bestek van massa aanpasbaarheid. Die ontwerpbeginsels minimeer die hardeware-en bedryfkompleksiteit van monteerstasies. Hierdie benadering vergemaklik dit om stasies te outomatiseer vir gelyklopende gemengde model montering met 'n Eerste-In-Eerste-Uit (FIFO) skeduleringsbeleid. 'n Herkonfigureerbare monteerstasie is ontwikkel om te demonstreer hoe die voorgestelde ontwerpbeginsels die skep en bedryf van 'n monteerstasie vir 'n produk-familie van flitsligte vereenvoudig.

No abstract

Advances in additive manufacturing technology present new design opportunities for metal parts that would otherwise be infeasible with subtractive manufacturing technologies. Clifford Machines & Technology (Pty) Ltd is an international producer of large mesh welding machines. The research was conducted with the aim of investigating the advantages that can be provided through the redesign of the mesh welding electrodes, for production using additive manufacturing. Simulation studies were applied in order to evaluate the performance of the redesigned electrodes and the results were compared to the existing electrodes. The results show that the electrodes designed for additive manufacturing achieved mass reductions of up to 58.2%. The electrodes were also able to support increases of current density by up to 98%, while operating at a lower temperature than the original electrodes. The study has identified the high initial cost of production and increased power consumption to be the disadvantages of additively manufactured electrodes.