Showing papers by "David Romero published in 2019"

Smart manufacturing: Characteristics, technologies and enabling factors:

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to collect and structure the various characteristics, technologies and enabling factors available in the current body of knowledge that are associated with smart manufacturing. Eventually, it is expected that this selection of characteristics, technologies and enabling factors will help compare and distinguish other initiatives such as Industry 4.0, cyber-physical production systems, smart factory, intelligent manufacturing and advanced manufacturing, which are frequently used synonymously with smart manufacturing. The result of this article is a comprehensive list of such characteristics, technologies and enabling factors that are regularly associated with smart manufacturing. This article also considers principles of “semantic similarity” to establish the basis for a future smart manufacturing ontology, since it was found that many of the listed items show varying overlaps; therefore, certain characteristics and technologies are merged and/or clustered. This results in a s...

Circular Economy in the Electronic Products Sector: Material Flow Analysis and Economic Impact of Cellphone E-Waste in Mexico

Abstract: The circular economy (CE) model has become highly relevant in recent years, with the electronics industry being one of the sectors that has considered its application. Despite only a limited amount of literature being available on waste electric and electronic equipment (e-waste) in Mexico, the Mexican Government, academic institutions, and electronics industry have coordinated efforts to implement the CE in the country. This study evaluates the current technical and economic situation of cellphone e-waste generated in Mexico by surveying and analyzing the main actors that influence the management of this waste and using a material flow analysis. Extensive fieldwork was conducted in order to quantify the extent of cellphone e-waste processing in both formal and informal channels. The study of printed circuit boards in cellphones shows that the total value of cellphone e-waste materials ranges between $11.277 and $12.444 million USD per year in Mexico. However, a value of only $0.677 million USD is recycled through formal channels. After characterizing the remanufacturing and recycling CE loops, we conclude that the potential for improvement and advancing towards a CE model is significant

Five Management Pillars for Digital Transformation Integrating the Lean Thinking Philosophy

Abstract: This paper discusses Five Management Pillars for Digital Transformation integrating the Lean Thinking Philosophy. It proposes a "Digital Lean Transformation Framework" where its five management pillars – (Digital) Strategic Management, Processes (Re-)Engineering Management, (Digital) Technology Management, Change (People) Management, and (Digital) Risk Management – are enriched with lean practices and tools in order to support a digital transformation journey. A case study is also presented as a validation mechanism for the proposed framework, demonstrating its capability to enable process-culture-technology alignment, which is a key enabler for success in any digitalization initiative.

Total Quality Management and Quality Circles in the Digital Lean Manufacturing World

Abstract: In this paper, the authors present practical insights in order to propose a Quality Management Framework for Digital Lean Manufacturing. The rationale behind this proposed framework is that the individual ISO 9000:2015 Quality Management pillars are rather different when it comes to their objectives and their tasks at hand when using Human capabilities and/or Digital technologies capabilities in a strategic way for (i) Quality Planning, (ii) Quality Control, (iii) Quality Assurance, and (iv) Quality Improvement in the context of the emerging paradigm of Digital Lean Manufacturing Systems.

Convolutional Models for the Detection of Firearms in Surveillance Videos

Abstract: Closed-circuit television monitoring systems used for surveillance do not provide an immediate response in situations of danger such as armed robbery. In addition, they have multiple limitations when human operators perform the monitoring. For these reasons, a firearms detection system was developed using a new large database that was created from images extracted from surveillance videos of situations in which there are people with firearms. The system is made up of two parts—the “Front End” and “Back End”. The Front End is comprised of the YOLO object detection and localization system, and the Back End is made up of the firearms detection model that is developed in this work. These two systems are used to focus the detection system only in areas of the image where there are people, disregarding all other irrelevant areas. The performance of the firearm detection system was analyzed using multiple convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures, finding values up to 86% in metrics like recall and precision in a network configuration based on VGG Net using grayscale images.

Augmented Reality for Humans-Robots Interaction in Dynamic Slotting “Chaotic Storage” Smart Warehouses

Abstract: Nowadays, smart warehouses mostly use Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) controlled through magnetic or painted paths. This approach is suitable for “static slotting” warehouses, and for places where humans do not cross paths with mobile robots. Therefore, fixed-path AGVs are not an optimal solution for dynamic slotting “chaotic storage” warehouses, where picking and delivery paths are often changing. Hence, it is important to create an environment where AGVs have planned their path, and storekeepers can see their paths, and mark restricted areas by virtual means if needed, for these mobile robots and humans to move and stand safely around a smart warehouse. In this paper, we have proposed an Augmented Reality (AR) environment for storekeepers, where they can see an AGV planned path, and they can add virtual obstacles and walls to the mobile robots’ cyber-physical navigation view. These virtual obstacles and walls can be used to determine restricted areas for mobile robots, which can be seen for example as safe areas for humans’ and/or robots’ stationary work. Finally, we introduce the system architecture supporting the proposed AR environment for humans-mobile robots safe and productive interaction.

Cyber-Physical Waste Identification and Elimination Strategies in the Digital Lean Manufacturing World

Abstract: Lean Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 are at times portrait as conflicting paradigms. However, we take the stance that they are two sides of the same coin, and should be considered as mutually beneficial. Based on this understanding, this paper is part of a series where we discuss established Lean practices in the emerging Digital Lean Manufacturing World. In this paper, we specifically focus on the issue of “buffer waste”, and what that implies within a cyber-physical production system. We discuss the vicious cycle of Mura, Muri, and Muda, and provide observed examples in industry for “buffer waste” from four different, yet interdependent perspectives: (i) physical to physical, (ii) physical to digital, (iii) digital to physical, and (iv) digital to digital. The results of this study confirm that “buffer waste” is indeed an issue that deserves our attention as academics and practitioners in the emerging Digital Lean Manufacturing environment.

Strategies for Implementing Collaborative Robot Applications for the Operator 4.0

Abstract: To accomplish a flexible and highly productive production system, collaborative robot applications, such as co-bots, can be one solution. Hence, last year: 2018, less than 4% of the industrial robot investments had “collaborative roots”. In order to increase this number, clear strategies for the implementation of co-bots are vital. This paper will present the results from the study of 40 SMEs, and six OEMs, regarding where and when to implement co-bots in production. Furthermore, which KPIs to consider when implementing these collaborative robot applications. The Lotus Blossom technique has been used to create the first steps towards strategies for implementing collaborative robot applications for the Operator 4.0. Seven areas of application have been pre-selected, and one area has been left free of choice for the companies. The results show that the areas with greater strategic interest are ‘pick-n’-place’ tasks and ‘load-unload’ tasks.

The Impact of Digital Technologies on Services Characteristics: Towards Digital Servitization

Abstract: Despite that digital technologies play a fundamental role in enabling innovation in service delivery processes, the understanding of how they influence services characteristics, and service provider – customer interactions still remains a critical point. On these premises, this paper introduces a study to explore such influences, through the adoption of a two-dimensional matrix, representing a service provider – customer interaction typology, and describing how digital technologies influence the five main services characteristics (viz. intangibility, inventory, inseparability, inconsistency, and involvement). The matrix was built upon a literature review, and further refined through brainstorming sessions with researchers and practitioners. The results found suggest that digital servitization, the “digital transformation of services”, brings about new dynamics in service provider – customer interactions by impacting on the service delivery processes elements. For this reason, the achieved matrix can help service researchers and managers to understand how digital technologies increase/decrease the presence and the role of the service provider in a service delivery process, and the presence and the role of the customer of the service in a service delivery itself.

Collaborative Softbots: Enhancing Operational Excellence in Systems of Cyber-Physical Systems

Abstract: This paper outlines the use of Collaborative Networks foundations at the intra-organizational level, applying them in the support of systems of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs), and of collaborative softbots in more particular. Five use case scenarios have been implemented upon a didactic shopfloor as a proof of concept. In spite of the complexity related to the knowledge modeling of softbots, the achieved results demonstrated the potentials of better human-automation symbiosis when groups of CPSs, information systems and humans have to cooperate and collaborate using collaborative softbots to improve operational excellence and human satisfaction in smart, social factories.

The APMS Conference & IFIP WG5.7 in the 21st Century: A Bibliometric Study

Abstract: The APMS conference and IFIP WG 5.7 community can proudly look back at a rich history of research and practical impact in the field of production and production management. However, in the light of the recent disruptions of the field, often summarized under the terms Industry 4.0 or Smart Manufacturing, it is critical to assess recent research trends and changing key topics within the community to enable informed decisions about the future directions of the conference. This paper takes a critical look at 1,428 published papers from the APMS proceedings that are available on Scopus and derives key insights through a bibliometric study. A special focus is put on the last five years to reflect the recent effects of digital transformation on the driving topics of the conference. The results show the emergence and dominance of Industry 4.0 among the recent topics, but also provides evidence of established topics, such as sustainability, remaining relevant. Overall, the study provides a wealth of information that provides the foundation for forward looking discussion among the community members.