Reconfigurable machine tools: a perspective

Short life cycle of the products, large product variants and unanticipated changes in customer demand in a dynamic social context pose a significant challenge for design of an appropriate manufacturing system. Reconfigurable machine tool, which is the foundation block for reconfigurable manufacturing system is envisaged as a solution that caters to the current market forces. This paper discusses the reconfiguration mechanisms, which enable transformation of conventional machine tools, such as, drilling, lathe and milling machines into reconfigurable machines that will achieve the objectives. It is expected that, this work will help designers and practicing engineers by making them aware of the reconfiguration mechanisms, which have become a necessity for the very survival of the manufacturing sector by lowering the overall capital costs and, therefore, the per unit fixed costs.