Modeling of machine tools using smart interlocking software blocks

Machine tools are traditionally designed to maximize performance, precision and repeatability of manufacturing processes. New criteria for design including maximizing energy efficiency and reconfigurability are now emerging. In this paper, a novel methodology is proposed for representing machine tool elements as smart interlocking software blocks that are dynamically structured based on predefined ontology and then combined to form a holistic model of a machine tool. This model can be used to assess, simulate and optimize the machine tool against a range of criteria. A prototype implementation of the methodology is demonstrated using two test cases for kinematics and power usage.