Achieving Flexible Reconfiguration via Mechatronic Modules

Abstract

With shortening product life cycle, modern production facilities require rapid adaptation to new requirements. In addition, easier maintainability is called for in order to achieve a higher availability. This can be accomplished by means of modular and reconfigurable machines and facilities. For this purpose, machine modules with new system boundaries have to be designed as mechatronic and self-sustaining units to achieve reconfigurable machining systems. Thus new generations of machine configurations must be created. In this article, the analysis of interfaces for new mechatronic autonomous modules is developed, which will result in new modular machine concepts which are firstly applied on a transfer line where the machines represent the modules and secondly on machining centre where machine components are defined as modules. Thereby it is proven that by integration of functions and by setting new system boundaries, mechatronic autonomous modules are developable.