Abstract:

This paper presents the implementation of a reconfigurable advanced manufacturing system for High Schools and Universities in developing countries. The development of this technology has the characteristics of reconfigurability, low cost, and adaptability. The characteristics allow integrated and customized configurations that can be modified in a manufacturing system. The study cases of this technology had shown benefits and improvements in the student’s development of manufacturing areas.

The technology was created because the new educational requirement around the world implies not only theoretical lectures, also demands that students work with machines like in real environments. Unfortunately for many schools is impossible to purchase integrated manufacture systems do to the expensive costs. As demonstrated by the implementations in different high schools of Mexico the characteristics of the reconfigurable advanced manufacturing system add value for students and institutions.

The reconfigurability characteristics allows at a low cost to implement different types of strategies with students from different areas such as mechatronics, mechanical and industrial management. The students are able to design processes and to restructure them depending on different factors like optimization or adaptability.

In México two implementations were developed. The first implementation was at a technical school with students of mechanical areas. The second implementation was in a university with undergraduate mechatronic students. The practices implemented in bought schools cover the complete manufacturing cycle. The cycle initiates with the CAD design of a piece and finish with a machined part. As main purpose the practice was designed to generate in the students a complete reference with the creation, optimization and development of new product.

Keywords:

Education Technologies, advanced reconfigurable manufacturing system.