Structure of Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems

The structure and production of special machine tools is under strong pressure by the automotive industry as the main users of these machines. This industry dictates the conditions and standards of product quality, demanding the implementation of modern technology, higher levels of automation, flexibility and efficiency, and at the same time put a strong pressure on price reduction. The classical construction of special machines has become questionable because the modular concept and reconfiguration becomes a promising approach towards future manufacturing machines, in which manufacturing is independent of changes. Reconfigurable machines form a new class of machines and this article outlines the fundamental properties of modernly designed flexible manufacturing cells, and provides an overview of the achievements and development of special manufacturing machines in the company SAS-Strojogradnja, Croatia.