| SimFML | This project is closed |
| Responsive Design and Operation of Flexible Machining Lines |
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Context Flexible manpower lines currently enable leading automotive component manufacturers to compete within a demanding market place. However, these types of manufacturing systems are unable to cope with the global market pressures for increased levels of customer service at lower costs. In this respect, more complex forms of multi-component and multi-line Flexible Machining Lines (FM/cLs) are needed that still possess the ability to enable one piece flow manufacturing. Existing methods of designing flow process lines are unable to provide the tools needed to ensure that efficient FM/cLs can be designed, reconfigured and made operational quickly and economically. Hence, advanced design tools are needed that will help to promote wider use of FM/cLs throughout industry. Aims The major objectives of the project are to provide an integrated computer-based simulation/optimisation toolkit that: 1. Will enable FM/cL systems to be designed that can cope with greater levels of component variety and yield major capital cost reductions through greater utilisation of processing equipment. 2. Will enable automotive suppliers to cope responsively with changes in part types, product mix changes, volume changes, resource constraints and problems such as process equipment breakdowns. Will enable improved implementation and operation of FM/cLs by providing visual simulation training facilities and knowledge of appropriate visual controls to employ. Method The basic plan of work is to identify & document FM/cL design and operational practices used by participating companies. Simulation modelling elements and genetic algorithm (GA) based optimisation routines are then to be developed to represent these practices. Integration of simulation modelling elements and GA optimisation routines will then form a computer-based tool that is capable of automatically generating multi-component and multi-line FM/cLs Benefits Responsive and effective FM/cL development processes will enable the automotive industry and other high volume manufacturing sectors to improve their competitive advantage in markets that demand increasing levels of component and volume flexibility, higher levels of productivity and lower costs. Provision of visual simulation design tools will help to widen the usage of FM/cL technology throughout manufacturing industry. The proposed work, by providing methods for automating the model development process, will help to make available the benefits of simulation to a wider range of industries. Participants Unipart Industries Foggini Key Europe Bridgeport Machines Ltd Cross-Hueller Preactor Int. Ltd Visual Thinking Int. Ltd ISIS Informatics Ltd Castillion Precision Engineering Ltd De Montfort University Loughborough University |
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