Configuration Design Based ACO of Reconfigurable Machine Tools Over the Lifetime

In order to minimize the redundancy capacity and functionality of machine, a configuration design method for configuration path of RMT in the early stage of configuration design is proposed, which is designed for changing requires scenario. By evaluating the configuration economics and reconfigurability over the lifetime of RMT, the method ensures that each configuration on the configuration path is economics, and a configuration can be cost-effectively converted into another configuration. The cost model of RMT for the fixed-demand period is modeled, and solved it using integer linear programming method to gain the optimal configuration of RMT for each fixed-demand period. A concept for configuration similarity of RMT is proposed. A method for obtaining the alternative RMT configuration decisions of the fixed-demand period using a modified ACO is given. By computing the configuration similarity, a method for evaluating the reconfigurability between adjacent production periods is presented, as well as the method for finding the optimal configuration path that across all production periods over the lifetime of the RMT using a modified ACO again.