Group technology classification and coding system design: Considerations and extension to robotic end-of-arm-tooling

Abstract

This paper discusses a number of the basic notions associated with the development and implementation of group technology oriented classification and coding systems. As well, an example system, designed to performed design retrieval and reference for a subset of tooling required for manufacture, is presented. In particular, this system was developed for retrieving and referencing the database of robotic end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) designs. The discussion includes the overall code development strategy, the template for the interactive graphical user interface, and the details of the proposed EOAT classification and code structure. The graphics interface and the overall retrieval system were implemented on the INTERGRAPH MicroStation environment. These modules were written in the C programming language, with prototype development accomplished on a microcomputer. Finally, examples are used to demonstrate the capabilities of the system, and discussion concerning implementation issues is included.