A Systematic Basis to Manufacturing
Abstract
The paper reviews the manufacturing improvements that can result from adopting Design for Manufacture (DFM) procedures. However implementing DFM is often difficult and it is concluded that if the full benefits of design for function and production are to be achieved then a truly scientific (systematic) approach to production is required. With this objective in mind the paper discusses the benefits that result from adopting modular approaches to product and production machine design. The Modular Production Systems (MPS) concept is outlined and the potential benefits of this approach are discussed. In particular it is noted that if the MPS philosophy were to be fully adopted it could provide a route to truly simultaneous design and manufacture. However to implement the concept requires numerous technologies, tools and new design methods to be developed. A summary of the work at the University of Hull regarding knowledge-based tools for modular actuator machine design is given.
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