Showing papers on "Production engineering published in 1994"

Handbook of design, manufacturing and automation

Abstract: Partial table of contents: AUTOMATION. Automation (M. Groover). ENGINEERING DESIGN. Design for Manufacturing (Y. Hazony). MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND TOOLS. Nontraditional Manufacturing Processes (K. Rajurkar). PRECISION ENGINEERING AND MICROMANUFACTURING. Micromanufacturing (J. Jora-Almonte, et al.). DESIGN OF MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS. Analysis and Design of Manufacturing Systems (K. Hitomi). PLANNING, SCHEDULING, AND CONTROL OF MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS. Manufacturing Process Planning (H.-c. Zhang). QUALITY ENGINEERING. Automated CAD-Based Vision Inspections (J. Ventura & J.-M. Chen). INFORMATION PROCESSING. Computer Networks in Manufacturing (S. Yeralan). BUSINESS ASPECTS OF DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING. Managing Advanced Manufacturing Technology (D. Gerwin). TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING. Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Manufacturing Equipment Diagnostics (A. Bajpai). STANDARDS. Standards and Prenorms in Design, Manufacturing, and Automation (F. Vernadat). Index.

Production planning in automated manufacturing

Abstract: In this book quantitative approaches are proposed for production planning problems in automated manufacturing. In particular, techniques from operations research provide ways to tackle these problems. Special attention is given to the efficient use of tools in automated manufacturing systems. The book presents models and tests solution strategies for different kinds of production decision problems. A case study in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards highlights the methodology. The book will help to understand the nature of production planning problems in automated manufacturing and show how techniques from operations research may contribute to their solution.

Industrial Engineering and Management: A New Perspective

Abstract: A brief history of industrial engineering production systems design production systems control management total quality management productivity operations research systems the future.

Analysing Materials Handling Needs in Concurrent/Simultaneous Engineering

Abstract: In simultaneous/concurrent engineering (SE/CE), many functions are performed concurrently; however, manufacturing logistics design is seldom considered. Presents an integrated methodology for the design of manufacturing logistics and links it with early phases of product design. The concept of “adaptability factor” is proposed, linking choice of manufacturing technology to handling operations performed.

Developing a production management modelling approach for precast concrete building products

Abstract: Production management in this research is concerned with three key decisions: demand forecast, production scheduling and stock forecast. These three decisions are very much interrelated and cannot be made in isolation. Previous studies of precast concrete industry activities concluded that production management is fragmented. For example, production planning is done in isolation from demand forecasting and from stock forecasting. This has contributed to poor production management performance in terms of resource utilization and over-stocking. This paper goes beyond traditional production management theories and practices and develops a model to integrate all aspects of production management. The main objective is to develop an integrated production management model for the make-to-stock sector of precast concrete building products, in order to help production managers make better planning decisions and explore alternative options. The model is a factory simulator which examines and evaluates the effect of...

Design support system for agile manufacturing

Abstract: Agile manufacturing requires an intelligent engineering design support system that can provide rapid evaluation of engineering designs and design changes. Often this process results in modified products that require adjustments and retooling of the manufacturing processes that produce the product. This paper discusses the requirements for an intelligent concurrent engineering design support station that will allow the design engineer to evaluate design modifications while concurrently examining suitability for manufacturing. >

Simulators as a tool for rapid manufacturing simulation

Abstract: This paper discusses the use of two simulators for the design and analysis of manufacturing modules. Included in the paper is a brief discussion of the simulators, the application of the simulators in solving a real world problem, and the lessons learned in using simulators.

An introduction to expert systems in production and manufacturing engineering: the structure, development process and applications

Abstract: Due to the global competition, manufacturing is facing several challenges: short product life cycle, frequent design changes and small in-process inventory. The performance of a manufacturing system is affected by numerous needs, such as material requirement planning (MRP), capacity planning, facility and material handling device planning, inventory control, tool management, scheduling, quality control, and manufacturing information system management (Chang et al, 1991). These necessities have led to the implementation of computer technologies, such as automated test facilities; MRP; computer-aided design (CAD); computer-aided manufacturing (CAM); computer-aided process planning (CAPP); computer-aided quality control (CAQ); digital computers simulation; and data collection, storage and analysis. While these operations and primarily digital manipulations that take advantage of speedy data storage, retrieval and computational capabilities of computers, other kinds of expertise, such as knowledge that is based on past experience and cannot easily be cast into mathematical formulae for conventional algorithmic programs, have yet to be fully exploited (Grimson and Patil, 1987). Expert systems, a technology falling into this last category, improve the quality of information provided to the responsible experts and users for operating modern automated and integrated systems, and assist them in reliable operation of their systems (Christie, 1990; Braun, 1990).

The transformation factor : a tool to evaluate and control production systems

Abstract: • A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.

Process plan representation for shop floor control

Abstract: Product planning, design, manufacture and management are all elements of the engineering function (Webster’s, 1985) Traditionally, the first three engineering elements are performed in a time-phased manner A product engineer develops and details the design specifications for a product The result of this activity is the engineering product model Once the product design has been finalized, a process engineer determines which resources are required to manufacture the product The result of this activity is the process plan for the product Finally, a production engineer reconciles product demand with resource availability and manufactures the product The production engineering activity results in an execution plan, which will be executed to manufacture the product These activities are illustrated in Fig 141 The product forms the link between these engineering activities (Wysk, 1992)

Product modelling for holonic manufacturing systems

Abstract: Holonic manufacturing is a new approach to the organization of decentralized autonomous and cooperative manufacturing systems. Such systems lead to new requirements for a product model, which can not be entirely fulfilled with today's product modelling techniques. This paper outlines the new requirements for product modelling and presents an approach to a solution based on the use of features technology. >

Human‐computer interaction and lean production: The shop floor example

Abstract: The approach in industrial engineering to computer‐integrated manufacturing (CIM) proved not to be the concept needed for the majority of German companies. At the moment, lean production is the focal point of discussion about production engineering. It tries to combine concepts such as human‐centered organization, internationalization of business, decentralization of decisions, increased development times, total quality management, and process‐oriented business management. There are a variety of implementation areas for lean production. One implementation has been the shop floor‐oriented production support concept as developed by the Fraunhofer Institute IAO in Stuttgart. It focuses on functions such as Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machine tool programming, shop floor control, quality assurance, and resource management, and it aims at decentralized work organization, comprehensive work contents, and support for highly skilled workers on the shop floor. This support is provided by Information Technology ...

Transparent insulation materials: a review

Abstract: After more than ten years of research and development on a new generation of transparent insulation materials in the more restricted sense, namely honeycomb type and other geometric structures, granular and monolithic aerogel, a critical overview of existing materials is presented. During the last years considerable progress has been made, and still more is to be expected as well on the theoretical understanding of the physical properties as on the actual material development. On the other hand there still are problems when one looks at the application aspect, e.g. temperature stability, inflammability, optical appearance, irregularities of the structures, and production costs. The development objectives in the past have been either to physically optimize a material for an application, or to produce a lower-quality cheap material. An example of the first strategy is the recent development of glass capillary structures. The question here, of course, is, whether production, handling and transport can be made easy enough to meet the target of reasonable costs. It should be emphasized, that material costs are not the key issue, but system costs. A continuous and intensive collaboration between production engineer, system or design engineer, scientist and salesman is probably the only chance to meet the requirements of high quality products, adapted to the application, with reasonable costs. An engineer designing an application with transparent insulation materials without understanding the physics of the material type used may run the risk of deteriorating the performance severely.

Multi-sensor Technique for Increasing Intelligence of Assembly Robots

Abstract: The authors, who are experts of the Technical University of Budapest Department of Production Engineering, work on the solutions of monitoring and sensoring problems in the CIM Pilot System. The results and the further tasks are discussed in this paper.

Process knowledge in Production Systems

Abstract: As models for procedural knowledge or knowledge of what to do, Production Systems have gained some importance in both artificial intelligence and the behavioral sciences. A major advantage of these systems is their ability to offer a modular representation of procedural knowledge: each rule occurring in a Production System model can be used to represent a meaningful unit of (potential) behavior. The set of rules making up the system can be conceived as a representation of the system’s behavior potential. To use Production Systems as models of actual behavior, however, requires some kind of process-control in order to put rules into a right sequence of applications constituting the behavior of the system. In this article, we will introduce a particular representation of process control in the form of a programmed control structure. This control structure governs the successive application of the rules in a Production System. The set of rules together with a programmed control structure will be called a Programmed Production System, abbreviated as PPS.

Inspection-planning development: an evolutionary approach using reliability engineering as a tool

Abstract: This paper proposes an evolutionary approach for inspection planning which introduces various reliability engineering tools into the inspection planning process and assesses system tradeoffs among reliability, engineering requirements, manufacturing capability, and inspection cost to establish an optimal inspection plan. The examples presented illustrate some advantages and benefits of the new approach. Through the analysis, reliability and engineering impacts due to the manufacturing process capability and inspection uncertainty are clearly understood; the most cost-effective and efficient inspection plan can be established and associated risks are well controlled; some inspection reductions and relaxations are well justified; and design feedbacks and changes may be initiated to further enhance reliability and reduce cost. The approach is particularly promising as global competition and customer quality expectations are rapidly increasing. >

Quality Management in Engineering

Abstract: The application of quality management in engineering can be achieved through imposing a systems engineering approach based on a defined engineering policy with traditional engineering standards and procedures. Quality assurance of horizontal cross business unit engineering activities or functions can best be achieved through a formal quality system accreditation, such as AS 3901. Internal quality assurance of engineering activities can then be benchmarked against internal engineering standards and procedures and monitored using quality audits. The quality of engineering activities in the company can be compared to world best practice benchmarks by identifying those core business activities that require direct engineering support. Performance against key performance indicators for these core activities can then be assessed to measure the performance of engineering activities. Identifying customer needs and satisfying those needs is the prime performance indicator. Examples of the application of systems engineering and the AS 3901 quality system are given when discussing configuration management and risk management.

AI-based generation of production engineering labor standards

Abstract: Increased automation of manufacturing is necessary to compete in today's worldwide markets. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for incorporating the automation with changing manufacturing environments needs to be investigated. AI techniques can assist in meeting the challenge of transforming shop floor production engineering data into appropriate production engineering labor standards in a timely, consistent, and cost effective manner. Production heuristics can be incorporated into an expert system that can learn from the changing manufacturing environment. This paper presents a prototype expert system which transfers the knowledge of experienced methods engineers into a rule-based system to develop the appropriate job elements and standard times for each engineering task. Manufacturing data taken from a leading US company are used for the testing and validation of the prototype system. The prototype system demonstrated the applicability of automated generation of knowledge transfer to the decomposition of the job into tasks. Further implications of the automated systems are discussed. >

Concurrent engineering enablers-engineering libraries

Abstract: Concurrent Engineering (CE) can be considered to be a philosophy of engineering methodology and management, aided by an infrastructure of enabling technology and techniques. As such, it can be viewed as an added dimension to all other processes, functions, and procedures in the engineering cycle, as well as to all other supporting groups that are affected by decisions during the entire life cycle of the product. As designs become more complex, more decisions affect more secondary decisions, and more design details become important. Thus, automation becomes more important in enabling the CE concept as complexity and detail increase. Engineering libraries that supply on-line, integrated, current, and comprehensive information on parts, methodologies, and processes are a key enabler to any design process and especially to a concurrent design process. But technology alone will not solve the problems. The key to successfully implementing CE that will produce designs on first pass, will meet cycle-time reduction goals, lower development and manufacturing costs, and still produce Six Sigma designs depends on broad-based cooperation across the design, design support, manufacturing, and testing functions. People make it happen; systems do not. >

The Ruler Game Physical simulation of production activities

Abstract: This paper describes a production game used in teaching of production engineering students at Aalborg University. The elements of the game are described and related to a theoretical course dealing with process and production planning issues. It is concluded that the game so far has been a successful supplement to the traditional teaching program.