Intelligent Jig System to Automate Flexible Manufacturing System

Jig pallet systems are intended for the automatic, complete machining or assembly of parts families in the area of medium and large scale manufacturing. Their distinctive feature is that several machine tools, or assembly machines, are linked together to generate an overall system by means of common tool and workpiece supply with integrated computer control. A jig pallet system is considered to be intelligent, if its central processor is equipped with a knowledge-base and an inference-engine. A jig pallet system was structured. It consists of a central processor, tools supply system, workpiece supply system, manufacturing cell which includes four work stations and a local area network. A knowledge-base and inference-engine were developed to reason the next position of jig pallet systems. The jig pallet system, with its incorporated knowledge-base and inference-engine, was tested for a large variety of operational parameters to explore the ability of the central processor to control participant's operations. The conclusion which is derived from these tests is that the central processor can control and optimize participant's operation in real time with minor effects on the system efficiency.