Simulation of robotic manufacturing cells: a modular approach

Abstract

This research provides a general modeling approach for the design and analysis of computer-controlled manufacturing cells containing robots, sensors, automatic machines, and orientation devices. The development process is described and alternative concepts are discussed. The developed ap proach allows a simulation model to be constructed by se lecting appropriate modules from an available library and linking them together. A demonstration manufacturing cell developed by McDonnell Douglas for the Air Force In tegrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing (ICAM) program is utilized to illustrate the concepts and a more complex exam ple is presented to illustrate the versatility. This approach is flexible because alternative configurations can be modeled quickly and easily. Individuals with significant expertise in cell design but little experience in simulation can create simulation models of manufacturing cells and perform mean ingful analysis.