An Implementational Concept of the Autonomous Machine Tool for Small-Batch Production

Abstract

AbstractThe increasing demand for customized and complex products with small batch sizes confronts the manufacturing industry with new challenges, which can only be handled by flexible and dynamic manufacturing processes. As a major part of the process chain, autonomous machine tools can contribute to satisfying these requirements. Although there are many contributions on autonomous machine tools in research, the development of a self-learning, autonomous AI-integrated machine tool has been implemented neither in the industry nor in research. This paper proposes an industry-oriented concept of a self-learning machine tool. The system architecture consists of the existing CAD, CAM and CNC process chain and extends it with a knowledge base and an intelligent CAPP system for domain knowledge representation and decision making. Process knowledge is represented by using a continual learning process simulation approach for small-batch production.KeywordsAutonomous machiningProcess planningMachine tool