Adaption of Commercial off the Shelf Modules for Reconfigurable Machine Tool Design

A variety of methodologies have been utilised in the design of reconfigurable industrial machines. Authors consider some of the methods that have been used given the critical aspects of these methods, the commercial off the shelf (COTS) method of design of machine tools to achieve flexibility through reconfigurability is discussed. Highlights of the implication of this method and it´s repercussions to basic modules, alternate modules and additional modules are analysed. The role of the computer in the entire process is to be particularly highlighted.