Modular reconfigurable machines incorporating modular open architecture control

Abstract

The Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS) paradigm has been formulated to encapsulate methodologies that enable manufacturing systems to display a variability of system functionality and capacity in response to constantly changing production requirements. The formulation of a new class of production machinery, Modular Reconfigurable Machines (MRMs), for RMS is presented. By virtue of their fully modular nature these machines are able to display a variability of machining functions and cutting degrees of freedom on a single platform. A corresponding modular Open Architecture Control (OAC) system is presented. OAC overcomes the inflexibility of fixed proprietary automation, ensuring that MRMs provide the reconfigurability and extensibility necessary to meet the demands of modern manufacturing.