1999 Volume 50 Issue 4 Pages 263-273
Interruptions in machining due to the sudden fracture of a cutting tool is detrimental for constructing fully automated machining systems. This paper presents a new criterion for the designing of fully automated machining systems. Two statistical models are formulated for analyzing the productivity and production costs of fully automated machining systems. Optimum cutting conditions based on tool-life distribution are obtained. Numerical results show that a fully automated unmanned system is more economical than a semi-automated manned system when the fracture rate of the cutting tool is below a certain value.