This course deals with manufacturing systems and automated production systems. An overview of modern manufacturing systems and techniques used in manufacturing facilities is presented.
The numerical control of machines is introduced, the design of (computer) Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools, such as turning and machining centres, is explained and fundamentals of CNC programming are discussed. Components related to automated production systems, i.e. industrial robots, as well as measurements and inspection principles are investigated.
Basic concepts of manufacturing by means of additive techniques (formerly known as Rapid Prototyping) will be analysed. The course will also briefly examine unconventional machining such as Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), electrochemical machining, chemical milling, ultrasound machining, electron beam machining and laser processing.
In order to have a comprehensive view of a manufacturing system, students will be guided to address some problems of industrial production management, mainly concerning medium-term programming and scheduling, through presentation of formal models from which the more widespread industrial procedures are derived.
[Only for Engineering and Management Students] Fundamentals of human resources organization and management will be analysed. In particular, the topics covered during the course will be organizational functions and structures in the enterprise, contracts of employment, and the system of personnel evaluation.

The primary objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of manufacturing tools and techniques for implementation of (computer-)integrated manufacturing systems.

At the end of the course, students will:
- know the structure of flexible manufacturing systems;
- know principles for setting automation levels and process integration in relation to production rates;
- know the fundamentals of additive manufacturing;
- be able to identify design features that make automation difficult;
- be able to describe the basic concepts of numerical control;
- be able to identify the basic programming methods used in manufacturing;
- be able to compare various robot geometries and working parameters;
- be able to effectively manage production flow within an industrial firm, moving pieces, lots, tools, transferring information and orders, monitoring the implementation of operations;
- to be able to program the workload for all the centres of production and service included in a company, or better, in a production department;
- to schedule the progress of the production job under operation, by verifying the coherence with the plans set
be able to identify the most appropriate production technology according to the product requirements.

[only for Engineering and Management Students] At the end of the course, students will also:
- know the business functions of a manufacturing system;
- know models and methods for the HR Management.

Knowledge of technical drawing rules and of industrial manufacturing technology with particular emphasis on techniques for metal cutting and machining cycles. It is essential that the student has familiarity with the use of computers.

Numerical Control of Machine Tools
- Basic Concepts
- Machine Tools Structure (Design Principles, Materials, Loads, Slideways)
- Tools And Workpiece Management (Automatic Tool Changers, Tool Magazines, Tool Changing Methods, Tools Management, Automatic Pallet Changer)
- Drives and Actuation System (Spindle Drives, Feed Drives, Ballscrews, Linear Motors)
- Feedback Devices (Optical Encoders, Inductosyns, Resolver, Tachometer)
- Machine Control Unit (Man Machine Interface, Numerical Control Kernel, Interpreter, Interpolator, Position Control, Programmable Logic Control, Adaptive Controls)
- Applications

Industrial robotics
- Basic Concepts
- Structures of Robotic Systems (Cartesian, Cylindrical, Polar, Jointed-Arm or articulated, SCARA and wrist configurations)
- End Effectors (Grippers and tools)
- Robot Control Systems
- Sensor Technology (Internal and external sensors, Machine vision)
- Applications

Measurements and Inspection Principles
- Basic Concepts
- Inspection Techniques
- Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)
- Computer-Aided Inspection
- Applications

Additive Manufacturing
- Basic Concepts
- Additive Processes (Vat Photopolymerization, Material Jetting, Binder Jetting, Sheet Lamination, Material Extrusion, Powder Bed Fusion, Beam Deposition)
- Applications

Non-conventional machining
- Basic Concepts
- Mechanical Processes: Ultrasonic Machining (UM), Abrasive-jet (AJM), Water-jet (WJM) and Abrasive Water-jet (AWJM)
- Thermal Processes: Electrical-Discharge Machining (EDM – WEDM) and High-Energy-Beam Machining: Electron-beam (EBM), Plasma-arc cutting (PAC) and Laser (LBM)
- Chemical Machining (CM)
- Electrochemical Machining (ECM)
- Applications

Fundamentals of Manufacturing Systems
- Introduction to Manufacturing Systems
- Single-Station Manufacturing Cells
- Automated Production Lines and Assembly Systems
- Cellular Manufacturing
- Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Management of production systems [remark for Engineering and Management Students, see DELIVERY MODES section]
- Introduction to industrial systems analysis
- Production planning
- Aggregate Production Planning
- Master Production Planning
- Material Requirement Planning (MRP)
- Analysis of main scheduling methods
- Just in Time (JIT)

Personnel organization and management [only for Engineering and Management Students]
- Organizational functions and structures in the enterprise
- Contracts of employment
- The system of personnel evaluation

Industrial manufacturing systems examples will be analysed during lectures. Some seminars on topics related to the course will be presented by industrial experts.

[remark for Engineering and Management Students] Students are required to compile e technical report possibly based on data/information obtained through direct contact with a company. The report must contain:
a) a schematic description of the process of production;
b) an evaluation of the performance of the process;
c) an assessment of how the personnel management is implemented.

PowerPoint slides presented during lectures and other teacher’s lecture notes uploaded on the Portale della Didattica.

Groover, M. P. (2014). Automation, Production Systems, and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (4th ed.). Prentice Hall
Groover, M. P. (2011). Fundamentals of modern manufacturing: materials, processes, and systems (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: J. Wiley & Sons
Kalpakjian, S., & Schmid, S. R. (2008). Manufacturing processes for engineering materials (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Education
De Toni, A. F., Panizzolo, R., & Villa, A. (2013). Gestione della produzione. ISEDI. (an excerpt in English will be uploaded on the Portale della Didattica)

The aim of the final exam is to verify the student’s knowledge on modern integrated manufacturing systems.

--- Engineering and Management Students (8 CFU) ---
The final exam consists of an oral exam and the evaluation of technical reports
- The oral exam will consist of 3 (three) questions and will cover all the material that was presented during lectures and seminars. The oral exam will account for 18/30.
- About Management of production systems and Personnel organization and management topics, students are required to complete some technical reports (due before the end of the course, more information will be given during lectures). The evaluation of technical reports will account for 12/30.

--- Mechanical Engineering Students (6 CFU) ---
The final exam is only oral exam. The oral exam will consist of 5 (five) questions and will cover all the material that was presented during lectures and seminars.