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The Reconfigurable Factory Testbed (RFT) is a comprehensive platform that enables research, development, education, validation and transfer of Reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) concepts.

By providing a collaborative mix of hardware/software and real/simulation components distributed across a web-enabled network, the RFT serves as excellent environment to consolidate and showcase results of the University of Michigan's Engineering Research Center for RMS. More importantly, it provides an environment to envision, rapidly prototype, and verify in a factory operation environment those solutions that result from the combination of the RFT components. Further it will provide a mechanism for prequalification of factory reconfiguration strategies.

RFT Components

Serial-Parallel Line: This line consists of two cells with two table top CNC machines and a robot each, connected in series by a conveyor. This line will be utilized in the study of planning and scheduling as it relates to reconfigurable manufacturing. Remote Viewing and Collaboration Tools: The RFT employs a remote Human Machine Interface (HMI) to provide connectivity for diagnostics, maintenance, and order placement, utilizing data gathered from sensors/machines using OPC and XML. These web-based tools also give researchers and partners at other universities and commercial sites access to this state-of-the-art facility.

Virtual Factory: A commercial factory simulation software package is used to simulate not only the serial-parallel machining line and the assembly cell, but also additional factory components that do not exist in hardware. The virtual factory is actually linked into the system to enable real + virtual simulations.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): It is integrated to RFT for process, product, and people traceability. The system uses high frequency 13.56 MHz with write/read transponders. Safety System: The RFT system employs state-of-the-art safety components, to accomplish a level of standardized safety equal to the most advanced manufacturing facilities. Further research is being conducted on the advantages of such safety systems interacting with control networks to provide for a more optimized network.

Software Infrastructure: The infrastructure has a data centric architecture where it uses OPC and XML for communications. It has plug-n-play capability for module deployment. The current framework supports modules with Java, Matlab, C++, and Visual Basic 6.0 platform.

RFT Applications and Benefits

Research

• Networks: Multi-tier networking, Quality of Service and
  Quality of Performance for controls and diagnostics
• Control rules and event-based control; modular logic control;
  factory-wide consolidated control strategy
• e-diagnostics and e-manufacturing
• art program reconfiguration based on actual and/or virtual
  inspection
• Combining/collaborating research efforts on a single platform
• Virtual + Real" real-time simulation and prediction
• Logic controllers
• Network time synchronization (IEEE 1588)
  Education
• Web-distributed system allowing for collaboration with other
  universities
• Exposing students to real-world environments.

Technology Transfer

• Web-distribute real + virtual environment allows users to
  apply "what-if" analysis and test potential transfer solutions
  prior to adoption
• Industrially relevant solutions utilizing off-the-shelf
  technologies wherever possible, standards (official and defacto),
  conforming to industry trends, guided by industry
  partners
• Solutions for industrial network management to support
  control, diagnostics and safety information distribution;
  consolidated HMI methodology
• Graphical method for control strategy reconfiguration
• RFT designed for technology transfer