Tool Magazine Allocation to Minimize Machine Tool Waiting Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine tool efficiency is hindered by waiting times due to inefficient tool management in shelf magazines, where tools must be rearranged to comply with compatibility and space restrictions, leading to downtime and increased production time.
Innovation Solution
A method using mixed integer linear optimization and heuristic integer linear optimization to optimize tool placement in magazine locations, minimizing waiting times by reducing travel distances and energy consumption, and incorporating a control device with a computer program to manage tool allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tools are rearranged in shelf magazine to comply with compatibility and space restrictions, then tool storage compliance is improved, but machine tool downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis and optimization of tool magazine allocation before production begins. The computer evaluates all permissible magazine locations for each tool and pre-calculates the optimal arrangement to minimize subsequent travel distances, eliminating the need for time-consuming rearrangements during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors tool usage patterns, magazine device travel distances, and production efficiency. This feedback is used to dynamically adjust and optimize tool allocation strategies, learning from actual operational data to improve future allocations and reduce downtime.
2Area of stationary object
If tools are placed in magazine locations far from staging area, then space utilization is improved, but travel distance and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns different tools to different magazine locations based on their specific characteristics, usage frequency, and compatibility requirements. High-frequency tools are placed closer to the staging area with shorter travel distances, while less frequently used tools are placed farther away, optimizing the local arrangement to minimize overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts magazine device travel parameters by optimizing the sequence and timing of tool retrievals. By coordinating multiple tool operations and adjusting travel parameters based on real-time production needs, the system reduces total energy consumption while maintaining efficient space utilization.
3Productivity
If tools are frequently relocated within rack magazine, then tool availability is improved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and pre-positions tools in optimal magazine locations based on the production sequence and tool compatibility requirements. By anticipating future tool needs and arranging them in advance, the system ensures rapid tool availability without requiring frequent mid-production relocations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic tool allocation that adapts to changing production requirements in real-time. The computer continuously monitors tool usage patterns and adjusts magazine allocations dynamically, optimizing tool availability while minimizing disruptions to ongoing production processes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and device for computer-assisted optimisation of the occupancy of magazine spaces (P) by tools within at least one tool magazine (R) for a machine tool, one or more workpieces of a workpiece type being manufactured with the aid of the tools provided by a magazine unit at a provisioning place. An essential step of the claimed steps of the method according to the invention described in the description is the optimisation of the occupancy of the magazine spaces by tools so that the total waiting time is minimised, wherein the total waiting time is composed of individual waiting times which result in each case from the difference between the detected provisioning period and the detected working step duration if the value of the difference is positive, otherwise the individual waiting time assumes the value zero.