The field of parallel kinematics was viewed as being potentially transformational in manufacturing, having multiple potential advantages over conventional serial machine tools and robots. However, the technology never quite achieved market penetration or broad success envisaged. Yet, many of the inherent advantages still exist in terms of stiffness, force capability, and flexibility when compared to more conventional machine structures. Deployment of Parallel Kinematic Machines in Manufacturing examines why parallel kinematic machines have not lived up to original excitement and market interest and what needs to be done to rekindle that interest. A number of key questions and issues need to be explored to advance the technology further. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2022010

Parallel Kinematic Machines (PKMs) are one of the most radical innovations in production equipment. They attempt to combine the dexterity of robots with the accuracy of machine tools to respond to several industrial needs. This book contains the proceedings of the first European-American Forum on Parallel Kinematic Machines, held in Milan, Italy from 31 August - 1 September 1998. The Forum was established to provide institutions, technology suppliers and industrial end users with an improved understanding of the real advantages to be gained from using PKMs. This book contributes to a mid-term strategy oriented to reduce time to market and costs, improve production flexibility and minimize environmental impacts to increase worldwide competitiveness. In particular the authors focus on enabling technologies and emerging concepts for future manufacturing applications of PKMs. Topics include: Current status of PKM R&D in Europe, the USA and Asia. Industrial requirements, roadblocks and application opportunities. Research issues and possibilities. Industrial applications and requirements.

This book presents a collection of quality chapters on the state-of-the-art of research efforts in the area of smart devices and novel machine design, as well as their practical applications to enable advanced manufacturing. The first section presents a broad-based review of several key areas of research in smart devices and machines. The second section is focused on presenting an in-depth treatment of a particular device or machine. The book will be of interest to a broad readership.

The 5th IEEE/IFToMM International Conference on Re-configurable Mechanisms and Robots (ReMAR 2021) was held in Toronto, Canada on August 12-14, 2021 at Ryerson University. The conference proceedings include more than 70 papers on three main subjects, 1) Reconfigurable Mechanisms and Robotics, 2) Variable Topology and Morphing Mechanism, and 3)Origami and Bio-inspired mechanisms.

This book presents state-of-the-art research, challenges and solutions in the area of cloud-based cyber-physical systems (CPS) used in manufacturing. It provides a comprehensive review of the literature and an in-depth treatment of novel methodologies, algorithms and systems in the area of architecture design, cyber security, process planning, monitoring and control. The book features detailed descriptions of how to derive solutions in a cloud environment where physical machines can be supported by cyber decision systems when engaged in real operations. It presents a range of novel ideas and is characterized by a balanced approach in terms of scope vs. depth and theory vs. applications. It also takes into account the need to present intellectual challenges while appealing to a broad readership, including academic researchers, practicing engineers and managers, and graduate students. Dedicated to the topic of cloud-based CPS and its practical applications in manufacturing, this book benefits readers from all manufacturing sectors, from system design to lifecycle engineering and from process planning to machine control. It also helps readers to understand the present challenges and future research directions towards factories of the future, helping them to position themselves strategically for career development.

In order to compete in an increasingly demanding market, many manufacturing companies have to redesign or restructure their manufacturing systems so that a set of coherent manufacturing strategies can be supported. So this book aims to provide a comprehensive treatment of manufacturing strategy analysis (MSA) and manufacturing systems design (MSD). The strategic concerns of manufacturing are linked to subsequent manufacturing systems design activities through the use of an effective MSA/MSD interface. Topics include: A structured approach to formulating manufacturing strategies; A set of linking processes to translate MSA concerns into relevant MSD action plans; Case studies. This book is intended to help graduates and industry-based professionals to make more informed decisions when working on system-design or redesign projects.

The book presents a collection of 103 peer-reviewed articles from the Second International Conference on Intelligent Systems in Production Engineering and Maintenance (ISPEM 2018). The conference was organized by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and CAMT (Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Technologies), Wrocław University of Science and Technology and was held in Wrocław (Poland) on 17–18 September 2018. The conferences topics included the possibility of using a wide range of intelligent methods in production engineering, presenting and discussing new solutions for innovative plants, research findings and case studies demonstrating advances in production and maintenance from the point of view of Industry 4.0 – particularly applications of intelligent systems, methods and tools in production engineering, maintenance, logistics, quality management, information systems and product development. The book is divided into two parts: the first includes papers related to intelligent systems in production engineering, while the second is dedicated to special sessions focusing on: 1. Computer Aided methods in Production Engineering 2. Mining 4.0 and Intelligent Mining Transportation 3. Modelling and Simulation of Production Processes 4. Multi-Faceted Modelling of Networks and Processes 5. Product Design and Product Manufacturing in Industry 4.0 This book is an excellent source of information for scientists in the field of manufacturing engineering and for top managers in production enterprises.