Reconfigurable Manufacturing System - RMS Science Base

RMS Science Base

The RMS technology is based on a systematic approach to the design and operation of reconfigurable manufacturing systems. The approach consists of key elements, the compilation of which is called the RMS Science Base. These elements are summarized below.

• Given a part family, desired volume, and mix, a System-Level Process Planner can suggest alternative system configurations and compare their productivity, part quality, convertibility, and scalability options. It can perform automatic system balancing based on Genetic Algorithm and statistics. Useful software packages to perform these tasks are PAMS and SHARE.
• A Life-Cycle Economic Modeling methodology, based on blending dynamic programming with option theory, recommends the system that will be optimally profitable during its lifetime.
• A Reconfigurable Machine Tool (RMT) design methodology allows machines to be systematically designed, starting from the features of a family of parts to be machined. A new arch-type RMT, which has been designed and built at the ERC/RMS in Michigan, forms the basis for a new direction in machine research.
• A logic control design methodology for sequencing and coordination control of large manufacturing systems results in reconfigurable and formally verifiable controllers that can be implemented on industrial PLCs.
• A Stream-of-Variations (SoV) methodology based on blending state-space control theory with in-process statistics forms a new theoretical approach for systematic ramp-up after reconfiguration, which results in substantial time-to-market reduction.
• A machine vision algorithm integrated into the reconfigurable inspection station to inspect surface porosity defects (installed at General Motors Flint Engine Plant ).