A model for achieving reconfiguration in a smart assembly work-cell

Abstract

The reconfigurable assembly system is a type of a smart assembly system that can survive the challenges of personalised customisation of product design in the manufacturing sector. Reconfigurable assembly fixtures (RAFs) have been identified as enabling equipment in assembly work cells of reconfigurable assembly systems. RAFs can rapidly adapt to different dimensions of product sizes in the same part family. In this article, a reconfiguration model (RM) for achieving rapid positioning and immobilisation of press brake models is developed for a reconfigurable assembly fixture used for assembling press brakes. The model sets the reconfiguration limits of the RAF based on fixture workspace synthesis and physical dimensions of the press bake. It converts the physical dimensions of the press brake into travel length of locators and computes the operating parameters of the RAF. It also attempts to integrate the operation of the RAF with the assembly procedure in the system. The reconfiguration model is validated using different dimensions of press brake models. The reconfiguration model yielded results for operating parameters of the RAF, which are presented graphically and discussed extensively in order to compare the response of the model to the expected behaviour of the RAF. Comparing the responses of the RM to different press brake models shows different values for the operating parameters of the RAF which is valid. Also, the article established and supports the fact that the operations of a RAF are incomplete without a RM. The originality of the article lies in the development of customised mathematical models for the RM that is meant for the RAF and its validation using different press brake models as the product to be assembled.