ABSTRACT
Within the Cluster of Excellence "lnlegrative Production Technology for HighWage Countries" at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of RWTH Aachen University, a research project bas been established to study self-optimizing assembly cells. The concept of self-optimizing describes a concept that value stream orientated measures are monitored and effective interventions arc anticipated, so that in spite of disturbances the quality of processes and products is continuously improved (Schmitt & Beaujcan 2007). The application of existing knowledge to similar situations or new production cases as the core of selfoptimization enables new perspectives of manufacturing and assembly systems.
