Chapter 17 of Digital Design and Manufacturing
delves into the different fabrication methods used in the production of goods,
and the way that these methods differ depending on the work flow or business
model.
One
important distinction to make in the fabrication process is the scale of
production to be created. For very large scale production (50,000 to 100,000
units), machines are often very specialized and every part of the process is
automated. In smaller scales of production, prototype shops or job shops are
used. These shops have general purpose machines that must be programmed by
highly skilled workers. They are more expensive per unit, but each unit can be
more specialized and individual. The job shop process is much more similar to
the process that we follow with Titey and Mitey; thousands of different tasks
could potentially be accomplished by the robots, but each task requires thought
and preparation.
The
article also delves into different types of industrial robots. The type of
joint and arm movement (e.g. Cartesian, cylindrical, polar) creates robots that
are more suited to different tasks. For example, articulated joints are slow
but allow for a wider range of motion and precision than other configurations.
The
tools themselves are important parts of fabrication processes, but the workflow
and production process itself is just as important. There are many different
manufacturing strategies, aimed toward waste reduction, speed, efficiency, and
integration of computers with machines. These manufacturing models require
different types of machines and different assembly line setups.
Throughout
this chapter, there is an emphasis on the information systems associated with
manufacturing, in addition to the machines themselves. In order to achieve
efficient processes and quality products, it is important to consider factors
such as the type of machine, the order that the process is completed in, and
the interaction of workers, designers, programmers, and engineers. Although we
are not working with any large scale production in our class, these lessons can
be used as we begin to develop our design concepts. We should not only think of
the end product, but also of the order in which each part will be completed,
and which tasks should or should not be done with the robots.
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