RMS Reconfigurable Manufacturing System

TL Transfer Line

Introduction

There are two main traditional methods utilized by manufacturing industries in the production of medium, and high-volume parts are dedicated manufacturing line (DML) and flexible manufacturing system (FMS)。

Generally, DML is used when part production volumes are constant consistently high, and the part does not change。 FMS is used when the required quantities are relatively low and many modifications in the part design are foreseen, or more than one type of product is produced on the same line simultaneously。 [10]

Table 1 shows the feature of DML and FMS。 The table 2 is the comparison between DML and FMS。

DML FMS

Structure Fixed Fixed

System design focus Part Machine

Convertibility/flexibility No Yes (General flexibility)

Volume scalability No Yes in parallel FMS

Multi-tool operation Yes No

Productivity High Low

Lifetime investment cost Low

When fully utilized Reasonable

For production of many parts

Table 1: Feature of DML and FMS [10]

DML FMS

Limitations Not flexible-for a single part Fixed capacity-not scalable Expensive

Slow-single-tool operation

Advantages Low cost

Fast-multi-tool operation Convertible for new products Scalable capacity

Workforce skills Basic Require computer knowledge

Hardware Fixed Fixed

Software None Fixed

Table 2: Comparison between DML and FMS [10]

These two manufacturing methods are widely used in current factories。 Different factories choose the different method based on their own demand。 Today therapid change in production lines is becoming more and more frequent。 The single type of manufacturing method could not satisfy them anymore。 Inpidually DML or FMS have their advantages and disadvantages。

Thus an innovative approach of customized manufacturing called Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems (RMS) is emerging to address the needs created by rapidly changing markets and rapid introduction new products。 One of the primary goals in RMS is to reduce design lead-time, manufacturing set-up time and  ramp-up time while providing a cost-effective solution。 These new systems provide exactly the functionality that is needed exactly when it is needed。 [16]

The target of RMS is to

Find the adjustable production resources to respond to imminent needs

Enhance the speed of responsiveness ofa manufacturing system

Design just enough customized flexibility needed to produce all parts

Establish an economic equipment mix of flexible and Reconfigurable Machine Tools with customized flexibility, Reconfigurable Inspection Machines, and Reconfigurable Assembly Machines。