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1. Web based communication and interaction system.
2. Assembly system requirement elicitation, analysis and
management.
3. Tools for distributed interactive 'online' rapid specification,
design, modelling and evaluation of assembly systems.
4. Refining and further developing existing methods and methodologies
for design of reconfigurable precision assembly cells.
5. Economic analysis and lifecycle modelling with particular
emphasis on system reconfigurability.
The project consortium has identified that there is a clear
need for practical methods and tools to support the interactions
between different stakeholders at the early product and assembly
cell design stages.
An important step in this process is the identification,
structuring and formalisation of the related knowledge contained
within organisations. This has to be implemented through the
development of new working methods for rapid specification,
design and manufacture of 'smart' (knowledge intensive) assembly
systems.
In order that the objectives are achieved the work will specifically
focus on several key enabling technologies and methodologies
including:
- Web enabled methods and tools for rapid 'online' specification,
design and evaluation of assembly cells.
- Assembly system requirement acquisition, analysis and management.
- Refinement and further development of existing methods for
design of reconfigurable precision assembly cells.
- Economic analysis and lifecycle modelling, with particular
emphasis on the system reconfigurability.
The project will begin with the analysis of current industrial
assembly cell specification, design and manufacture practices
(WP1). Structured methods and tools for capturing and analysing
user requirements will be developed in WP2. This will enable
the specification of new assembly systems and cells
The process of planning assembly operations and modular design
will be critically evaluated, and further developed, in WP4.
In addition, new techniques for assembly planning and modular
system design will be developed. This is to address the specific
requirements for collaborative decision-making that would
involve customers, suppliers and sub-contractors.
The economics of the assembly system design and lifecycle
will be examined in WP5. A new economics model and module/equipment
selection criteria will be developed to support the process
of assembly cell requirements specification and design.
The development of the system re-design methodologies and
tools will be performed in WP6
The E-RACE collaborative environment ('web-portal') will
be developed in WP7 Visualisation libraries will be developed.
These will provide visual support for the distributed decision-making
process and negotiation support exchange protocols.
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