A Method for Design of Modular Reconfigurable Machine Tools

Xu, Zhengyi; Xi, Fengfeng; Liu, Lilan; Chen, Li

doi:10.3390/machines5010005

Cited by 24 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Easy customization was available and allowed users (e.g., end-users as machine operators) to choose and try different components of the excavator. In previous methods, as presented by Zheng [28] or Xu [29], even though the model parameters were partly adjustable, the options were not meant to make an interactive model with operator contribution, and model components were thus fixed from the operator's point of view and the focus was on the compatibility of components in modules. Different aspects of inter-disciplinary engineering design and the data circulation of the design work were addressed in [30] and [31], but user interaction in these works considered user input mainly in the final stages of the design and product process.…”

Section: Analysis and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Methodology for Product Development in Mobile Machinery: Case Example of an Excavator

2019

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Digital tools have become indispensable for the testing and modification of prototypes in mobile and industrial machine manufacturing. Data that are extracted from virtual experimentation and analysis are both affordable and valuable, due to their repeatability and because they are close to real-world observations. Expert knowledge is a prerequisite for full deployment of computer aided engineering tools in the design phase and concomitant stages of product development. Currently, such knowledge, for the most part, is provided by the product development team and the manufacturer. Yet, it is important that manufacturers and designers receive end-user feedback throughout the product development process. However, end-users often lack sufficient know-how about the technical and engineering background of the product development, and this lack of understanding can become a barrier to user-designer communication. The aim of this article is to present an alternative to traditional design approaches that is based on customized real-time multibody simulation. This simulation-based approach can be seen as a platform that has the potential to improve knowledge management systems for product development. End-user feedback to the designer is given in a systematic manner throughout the design process using a multipurpose XML-based multibody environment.

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Section: Analysis and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Methodology for Product Development in Mobile Machinery: Case Example of an Excavator

2019

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“…A substantial amount of research has been directed towards designing modular equipment [8] and flexible control architectures to enable manufacturing system reconfiguration and to provide increased resilience and agility [9]. Several studies have analyzed the degrees/levels of flexibility [10] and reconfiguration [4] of different manufacturing systems.…”

Section: Related Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multi-Criteria Decision Framework Considering Different Levels of Decision-Maker Involvement to Reconfigure Manufacturing Systems

et al. 2020

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Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems (RMSs) rely on a set of technologies to quickly adapt the manufacturing system capacity and/or functionality to meet unexpected disturbances, such as fluctuation/uncertainty of demand and/or unavailability/unreliability of resources. At the operational stage, such disturbances raise new production requirements and risks, which call upon Decision-Makers (DMs) to analyze the opportunity to move from a running configuration to another more competitive one. Such a decision is generally based on an evaluation of a multitude of criteria, and several multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches have been suggested to help DMs with the reconfiguration process. Most existing MCDM approaches require some assignment of weights to the criteria, which is not a trivial task. Unfortunately, existing studies on MCDM for an RMS have not provided guidelines to weigh the evaluation criteria. This article fills in this gap by offering a framework to set up such weights. We provide a comprehensive set of quantitative indicators to evaluate the reconfiguration decisions during the operation of the RMS. We suggest three weighting methods that are convenient to different levels of DM expertise and desired degree of involvement in the reconfiguration process. These weighting methods are based on (1) intuitive weighting, (2) revised Simos procedural weighting combined with the Technique for Order of Preferences by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and (3) DM independent weighting using ELECTRE IV. The implementation of the suggested framework and a comparison of the suggested methods carried out on an industrial case study are described herein.

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“…Since a correct estimate of the stiffness of a complex assembly is often related to an accurate modeling of its mechanical joints [16][17][18], the contact conditions between the support and the rotating table have been modified in order to achieve a more accurate FE model. Hence, the bonded contact between the rotary table and the support has been replaced by a set of four M12 12.9 class screws ( Figure 11): this bolt pattern replicates that being actually used on the Transfer Machine with nine divisions.…”

Section: Tuning Of the Stiffness Parameter Of The Fe Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Methodology for the Lightweight Design of Modern Transfer Machine Tools

et al. 2018

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This paper deals with a modern design approach via finite elements in the definition of the main structural elements (rotary table and working unit) of an innovative family of transfer machine tools. Using the concepts of green design and manufacture, as well as sustainable development thinking, the paper highlights the advantages derived from their application in this specific field (i.e., the clever use of lightweight materials to allow ruling out high-consumption hydraulic pump systems). The design is conceived in a modular way, so that the final solution can cover transfers from four to 15 working stations. Two versions of the machines are examined. The first one has a rotary table with nine divisions, which can be considered as a prototype: this machine has been studied in order to set up the numerical predictive model, then validated by experimental tests. The second one, equipped with a rotary table with 15 divisions, is the biggest of the range: this machine has been entirely designed with the aid of the previously developed numerical model. The loading input forces for the analyses have been evaluated experimentally via drilling operations carried out on a three-axis CNC unit. The definition of the design force made it possible to accurately assess both the rotary table and the working units installed in the machine.

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A Method for Design of Modular Reconfigurable Machine Tools

Cited by 24 publications

References 26 publications

A Methodology for Product Development in Mobile Machinery: Case Example of an Excavator

A Methodology for Product Development in Mobile Machinery: Case Example of an Excavator

A Multi-Criteria Decision Framework Considering Different Levels of Decision-Maker Involvement to Reconfigure Manufacturing Systems

A Methodology for the Lightweight Design of Modern Transfer Machine Tools

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