Modelling approach and behaviour analysis of manufacturing resources in virtual cellular manufacturing systems using resource element concept

Abstract

In recent years, as an emerging concept in industry, virtual cellular manufacturing systems (VCMSs) have attracted considerable attention, combining virtual cells (VCs) to construct new manufacturing systems in response to changing market dynamics. Manufacturing resource (MR) modelling approaches have been used to support VC formation. Considering that the shared issues in VCMSs are not just about a machine, but some function parts of a machine rather. Resource element (RE) methodologies are used to define the similar and exclusive capabilities of MRs, such as machines and machining centres. In this article, MR modelling approaches are reviewed and RE approach is discussed in detail. Furthermore, some instances are analysed to illustrate the transformation of RE with dynamic manufacturing environments. Results of the analyses show that RE methodology can represent the multi-functional resource closely, reduce the complexity of manufacturing system and improve the agility and flexibility of manufacturing systems. Finally, a function-clustering-degree concept representing the trade-off between the quantity and granularity of VCs is introduced to evaluate the reconfiguration performance of manufacturing systems for supporting VC formation.

Keywords:

• virtual cellular manufacturing systems
• resource element
• function general schema
• behaviour analysis
• function-clustering-degree

Acknowledgements

The work described in this article was substantially supported by a research grant from National Natural Science Foundation of China (70801037) and a strategic research grant of City University of Hong Kong (7002610).