Use of electronic module descriptions for modular and Reconfigurable Assembly Systems

The paper presents how a newly developed emplacement concept can be utilised for designing, deployment and execution of modular evolvable or reconfigurable assembly systems. The emplacement concept specifies the assembly modules in electronic description formats (XML based), which consists at the moment emplacement and blue print file formats. The former is used for abstract level specifications and for harmonisation of modules. These files are specified by a user group. The latter is the virtual representation of the module itself provided by the module vendor. The module interfaces (preferably basing on international interface standards), processing/manufacturing capabilities (i.e. skills) and standardised processes play important role in the concept. This paper focuses on the use of the concept and how the different interest groups can take advantage of the proposed concept. Also some use cases and tools supporting the concept are presented.