Generating NC program based on template for mass customization product

Abstract

Purpose

In the case of mass customization, product variety leads to exponentially increased variation in the production system. Providing flexible manufacturing solution for customized product rapidly is the key measure to achieve the goal of cost and delivery time. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Following introduction, the paper describes flexible manufacturing and numerical control (NC) machining techniques in mass customization. The kernel idea is that NC program for mass customization product should be generated from parametric manufacturing information template, so as to achieve NC program variant design in accord with product variant design. The elements of NC programming system discussed in this paper address the definition of machining feature, the development of NC subprogram, template construct, and the architecture of NC programming system for mass customization product.

Findings

Machining feature, NC subprogram, and template are made to help manufacturing system to deal with the increased variation requirements resulting from product variety. The effects can be verified by the case study.

Originality/value

This paper provides a practical NC programming system for mass customization product and makes detailed technical solution to manufacturing system developer and its applications.

Citation

Xu, X., Yan, T., Tao, X., Zhu, T. and Li, D. (2012), "Generating NC program based on template for mass customization product", Assembly Automation, Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 251-261. https://doi.org/10.1108/01445151211244401