Journal of Applied Mechanical Engineering

Improved production system design: Reconfigurable system approach

International Conference on Design and Production Engineering

July 25-26, 2016 Berlin,Germany

Khumbulani Mpofu

Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Appl Mech Eng

Abstract:

The dynamic nature of the manufacturing environment and sporadic customers need for customized products has given rise to a blustery production system. Production systems have to swing from different paradigms in order to meet the drivers of change affecting it. The goal of all production systems is to attend to all these drivers. However the challenge has always been which drivers of change should be considered in order to save cost and meet up with the global market or environment. Furthermore recent activities in the field of manufacturing span into design for reconfigurability, easy assembly and disassembly, multi-functionality, future change in design for adaptability, ergonomics, environmental sustainability, effective cost enhancement and lots more. In essence production systems undergo vibrant shifts in equipment and processes in order to meet up with the demand and diversified product design. The drivers of change affecting production systems are considered alongside with a review of different paradigms of production systems. Also, an insight into the concept of changeability in reconfigurable systems is considered together with the perspectives and approaches for process plan in reconfiguration as well as production planning.

Biography :

Email: mpofuk@tut.ac.za