Design Of Flexible Assembly Systems Research Articles

Assembly Planning in the Design of Flexible Assembly Systems

This paper addresses the problem of assembly planning in the design of Flexible Assembly Systems (FAS). A methodological approach for multi-product assembly planning is proposed. This approach consists of a representation model for families of products (referred to as generic product model - GPM), a representation model for multi-produt assembly plans and a method to generate the assembly plans for families of products. GPM is a hierarchical description of the structure of the products that compose a family where common and varying components and subsystems are identified.

A method for the design of flexible assembly systems

This paper presents an approach to a method for systematic design of flexible assembly systems. The design process and the relevant parameters are analysed, structured and integrated. The aim of the method is to support system designers in order to improve the outcome of the design process.

A case study in the design of flexible assembly systems

The design of production systems is generally based on economic considerations, which are related to certain technical criteria, such as capacity, availability, and reliability. To realize a cost-effective design, these technical and economic criteria should be considered in their mutual coherence during the conceptual design process. This paper focuses on a productivity model, which is related to this subject. This model allows an opinion to be formed about the technical and economic performance of conceptual robotic assembly cells, during the process of design. First, the system design process is discussed in brief, after which the productivity variables are presented. An illustration of the model is used to assess the technical and economic behavior of alternative system structures for the assembly of a power plug assortment.

Contribution to Computer-Aided Design of Flexible Assembly Systems

In this paper, the authors present a complete stategy to design a flexible assembly system for any product. The basic idea is to divide the assembly actions in two classes; the dedicated ones ( specific of the product) and the positional ones ( specific of the assembly process). The proposed method includes an algorithm which generates all the valid combinations of the dedicated actions, in the form of assembly trees ; the awkward ones are then rejected by the introduction of some set of constraints. The remaining trees are then transformed by the assignment of equipments to its different nodes, which introduces the positional actions. A comparison of the different solutions is then achieved by the way of a simulation.

Distributed manufacturing systems

SUMMARYIn the context of computer-integrated manufacture (CIM), the paper describes the need for flexible “intelligent” machinery and the need for integrated and distributed software. Methodologies in obtaining appropriate solutions are discussed and related to two major SERC sponsored research programmes at Loughborough University, which concern (i) the design of a family of mechanical and control system modules to allow robots to be configured with user defined kinematic and dynamic properties, and (ii) the design of distributed hardware and software structures, based on internationally accepted communication protocols, to allow FAS's to be produced.In batch manufacture today's increased demand for product variety, requiring reduced lead times and work in progress, the need arises for computer-integrated manufacture (CIM). Similarly, in many conventional continuous flow manufacturing processes dramatic improvements in plant efficiency can be achieved by linking shop floor computer systems with computers performing management and design functions.Considerable research and development work has centred on flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs)3−1 which conventionally relate to metal cutting environments. Similarly the labour intensive nature of assembly operations has led to considerable interest in the design of flexible assembly systems.3.4 The principles embodied in FMS and FAS are translatable, being applicable to most manufacturing environments.To achieve flexible integrated manufacturing two major requirements can be identified, viz. (i) the need for flexible “intelligent” machinery, and (ii) the need for integrated but distributed software systems. This paper will consider future trends in (i) and (ii).

Computer Aided Design of Flexible Assembly Systems

A strongly interactive software package is being developed to guide an engineer through the design of an assembly system. Four main parts can be distinguished: - An economical screening to determine which assembly method is likely to be most economical. - A technical analysis of the product, based on Boothroyd's “Design for Assembly”, in which feeding, gripping and insertion of each component is considered. - Task assignment and line balancing. - Computer aided layout of the assembly system (future).