Tool management in flexible manufacturing systems

Abstract

Describes a systematic way to design and develop a generic relational model for a tool management system in FMS. Reviews the need for tool database management in FMS and discusses the advantages. Highlights the requirements for a successful tool database and presents a systematic way to design and develop a relational tool database. The developed tool database is implemented by using the ORACLE database management system. Finally, presents four demonstration runs.

A new method for designing a tool database system of automated manufacturing systems

“…In the opposite approach direction, e.g. Shayan and Liu (1995) propose a top-down strategy to develop a system. Since each development step of that strategy is primarily influenced by the previous stage, the reusability will be reduced (Mili et al, 1995).…”

“…However, how to design a tool database system is still a challenging issue (Shayan and Liu, 1995;Backes et al, 1998). Most of the work in developing a tool database system presents the simulation processes and implementation results (Torvinen et al, 1991;Chan, 1992).…”

“…Few papers have focused on the design method except that Shayan and Liu (1995) exploited structured analysis and design technique (using IDEF0) to implement tool database systems in ORACLE. Backes et al (1998) employed an artificial neural network to provide the planning capability for bending tools.…”