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.

Manufacturing technology integration is an arising paradigm that aims at the functional integration of diverse manufacturing technologies into machine tools. This dissertation applies models of production, cost, and queuing theory to identify conditions under which manufacturing technology integration leads to greater productivity, lower cost, and smaller throughput times than a manufacturing system consisting of conventional single-technology machine tools.

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.

This book contains the papers presented at the XXXI International Congress INGEGRAF “Graphic Expression: reunion, reflection, representation,” held on June 29–30 and July 1, 2021, in Málaga, Spain. It reports on cutting-edge topics in product design and manufacturing, such as industrial methods for integrated product and process design, innovative design and computer-aided design. Further topics covered include virtual simulation and reverse engineering, additive manufacturing, product manufacturing,engineering methods in medicine and education, representation techniques and nautical, engineering and construction, aeronautics and aerospace design and modeling. The book is divided into six main sections, reflecting the focus and primary themes of the conference. The contributions presented here provide researchers, engineers and experts in a range of industrial engineering subfields with extensive information to support their daily work; but also they are intended to stimulate new research directions, advanced applications of the methods discussed and future interdisciplinary collaborations.