The Dynamically Reconfigurable Assembly System: Implementation Issues

Abstract

Conventional Automated Manufacturing Systems Development efforts generally result in a system tailored to the process and production volume requirements of a specific product family. Product-, process-, and device-based requirements are inextricably woven into one monolithic system which is very vulnerable to changes in either products, processes or production devices. In the new production environment, automated production systems must be able to rapidly adapt to new products and process, and to rapidly reconfigure and grow. The Automation & Robotics Research Institute is exploring new concepts in a system called the Dynamically Reconfigurable Assembly System. A key architectural principle used in the design and implementation of this system is the use of layered architectures. The physical system, the information and the control architectures are divided into three layers: Product, Process and Base System. Each layer in the hierarchy provides services to the layer above, while using the services of the layer below. This structure permits any layer in the system to be reconfigured without impacting the services provided to the adjacent layer. This paper will discuss some of the issues involved in the implementation of the physical and control architectures of this system.