37 research outputs found
Towards a methodology for integrated freeform manufacturing systems development with a control systems emphasis
A variety of fully integrated Freeform Fabrication (FFF) systems have been developed, a selected group for research and several for commercialization. The design methodology behind most of them is not documented, standardized, or rational. It is important to understand that the final product from any integrated system is affected not only by the unit manufacturing processes themselves, but also by the extent the individual units are assimilated into an integrated process. Thus, a scheme consisting of eight steps and the salient five elements necessary to create or retrofit an existing system to achieve an Integrated Freeform Manufacturing System (FFMS) is proposed in this thesis. Specifically, mass-change, deformation and consolidation unit manufacturing processes are emphasized, as the priority is focused on rapid prototyping (RP) technologies. To illustrate the proposed scheme, the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) Laser Aided Manufacturing Process (LAMP) system is presented --Abstract, page iv
Component-based control system development for agile manufacturing machine systems
It is now a common sense that manufactures including machine suppliers and system
integrators of the 21 st century will need to compete on global marketplaces, which are
frequently shifting and fragmenting, with new technologies continuously emerging.
Future production machines and manufacturing systems need to offer the "agility"
required in providing responsiveness to product changes and the ability to
reconfigure. The primary aim for this research is to advance studies in machine
control system design, in the context of the European project VIR-ENG - "Integrated
Design, Simulation and Distributed Control of Agile Modular Machinery"
The co-incident flow of work pieces and cutting tools in a restricted category of flexible machining cells
The work reported in this thesis describes research carried out into the detailed design
and operation of Flexible Machining Cells (FMC) incorporating automated work and tool
flow, dual flow. Three modes of cell management are considered for dual flow cells,
where the author examines both their operational and economic performance.
A framework is defined for investigating these dual flow cells, and a structured approach
providing a novel and detailed modelling capability is described. The question of how
this approach compares to single flow modelling and the additional or alternative
requirements for dual flow modelling is examined via the following key areas; the
specification of material handling requirements, tool transportation and issue and finally,
the control required to examine the interaction between the two flows operating
concurrently.
The framework is tested for its industrial applicability via an industrial case study. A
major aim of this study is to examine the view that a hybrid cell management strategy,
competitive management, could outperform the other strategies examined.
The aim of this methodology is to provide a solution for the control of FMCs. Emphasis
is placed on the ease of control and how the loading and control rules selection can
maximise economic enhancement of a cells performance
A manufacturing model to support data-driven applications for design and manufacture
This thesis is primarily concerned with conceptual work on the Manufacturing
Model. The Manufacturing Model is an information model which describes the
manufacturing capability of an enterprise. To achieve general applicability, the
model consists of the entities that are relevant and important for any type of
manufacturing firm, namely: manufacturing resources (e.g. machines, tools,
fixtures, machining cells, operators, etc.), manufacturing processes (e.g. injection
moulding, machining processes, etc.) and manufacturing strategies (e.g. how these
resources and processes are used and organized). The Manufacturing Model is a four
level model based on a de—facto standard (i.e. Factory, Shop, Cell, Station) which
represents the functionality of the manufacturing facility of any firm.
In the course of the research, the concept of data—driven applications has emerged in
response to the need of integrated and flexible computer environments for the
support of design and manufacturing activities. These data—driven applications
require the use of different information models to capture and represent the
company's information and knowledge. One of these information models is the
Manufacturing Model.
The value of this research work is highlighted by the use of two case studies, one
related with the representation of a single machining station, and the other, the
representation of a multi-cellular manufacturing facility of a high performance
company
Sensor based real-time mechatronic control of computer integrated manufacturing
Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008Industrial competition is characterised by increasing globalisation of markets, coupled wit