Showing papers on "Production engineering published in 2003"

Knowledge sharing in industrial research

Abstract: • A submitted manuscript is the author's 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.

Manufacturing: Design, Production, Automation, and Integration

Abstract: From concept development to final production, this comprehensive text thoroughly examines the design, prototyping, and fabrication of engineering products and emphasizes modern developments in system modeling, analysis, and automatic control This reference details various management strategies, design methodologies, traditional production techniques, and assembly applications for clear illustration of manufacturing engineering technology in the modern age Considers a variety of methods for product design including axiomatic design, design for X, group technology, and the Taguchi method, as well as modern production techniques including laser-beam machining, microlithography

Social-technical aspects in modern manufacturing

Abstract: Manufacturing companies are having to compete in a more and more global market. Continuous quality improvement, a reduction in product price and production series shortening have become necessary in order to be competitive. In such a situation, the development of production systems is necessary. This can only be done via the development of all manufacturing system elements such as production methods, machines, process, control and information systems. One important part of manufacturing systems that is very often not appreciated enough is the human being. This paper focuses on the changing role of managers and machine operators. Problems regarding quality of human decisions, artificial intelligence support and a socio-technical design approach are discussed as well. The aim of this paper is to present the important factors that significantly influence the balanced development of advanced manufacturing systems. The article is the result of a research project focused on improving the cooperation between machine operators and technical systems in manufacturing companies.

Ontology-Based Capability Management for Distributed Problem Solving in the Manufacturing Domain

Abstract: Providing services within multiagent systems, an agent has to register itself with a distinct description of its main capabilities in yellow page services. If another agent is requesting to solve a specific task, it has to be decided whether or not the requested agent is capable of performing the task successfully. We are assuming that task requirements as well as capabilities are specified using ontologies. Decision is easy if the concepts of requested task requirements are directly mapping to concepts of provided capabilities. However, concept inequality may occur. Especially in production engineering with its increasing concern of knowledge about sophisticated manufacturing processes, relying on simple concept equality is not suitable to fulfill demands of current industrial applications. Thus, enhanced methods like ontology-based capability management presented in this paper have to be established to address this problem. For the case of indifferent concepts we are introducing a conflict-based approach for capability negotiation as well as an application scenario for this approach in the manufacturing domain.

Applying Agents for Engineering of Industrial Automation Systems

Abstract: Designing, operating and maintaining industrial plants require extensive and complex engineering processes An integrated engineering process considering all different aspects, data and workflow of plant automation design as well as interoperability to other systems is the key to more efficiency and lower costs of engineering tasks in the plant life cycle There exists no comprehensive and satisfying solution to this problem today However, an agent-oriented view can lead to fundamentally new and promising approaches to an integrated plant engineering process The goal of this paper is to clearly identify the specific goals and challenges in engineering industrial plants and to show that agents are a beneficial approach to meet them To this end, an agent-oriented solution for integrated engineering of automation systems is presented, applying the advantages of agent concepts while considering the constraints of existing automation structures

Evaluation and Optimization of Strongly Ideal Assemble-to-Order Systems

Abstract: The contribution of John Buzacott to the Operations Management field cannot be overstated. Grounded in Industrial Engineering his work can be characterized by both practical relevance and mathematical rigor. The practical relevance posed to him extremely challenging mathematical and computational problems. Together with his PhDs and colleagues he has taken up these challenges and made breakthrough contributions to the analysis and design of manufacturing systems. The control concepts he developed for manufacturing systems turn out to have a much wider area of application, in particular to supply chain planning and control.

Advanced Engineering Environments for Small Manufacturing Enterprises: Volume II

Abstract: : To assist the Small Manufacturing Enterprise (SME) in adopting Advanced Engineering Environments (AEEs), this report provides two self-assessment tools. The Self-Assessment Tool for Engineering Environments (SAT-EE) assists an SME in assessing the adequacy of the current computing support environment in handling technical tasks. The Self-Assessment Tool for Engineering Tool Capabilities (SAT-ETC) enables the SME to collect data on the needs of the company, and maps it to specific classes of AEE tools. An SME may migrate to higher AEE levels through an orderly sequence of steps. Migration success is enhanced by careful attention to AEE component selection and by application of a defined technology adoption process.

Inside modular production networks: “soft operational issues” in building factory competitiveness

Abstract: This paper examines a new model of production in a developing nation, the Electronics Contract Manufacturing Industry. It explores issues related to manufacturing management, competence building, organisation and implementation of manufacturing best practice. It argues that the understanding of both contextual institutional factors and soft operational issues is crucial for implementing manufacturing practices that support competitiveness building.

Engineering Management for Integration

Abstract: A pilot research study addresses the need for new views on the management and organising of engineering. Contemporary engineering organisations are becoming increasingly diversified and disperse. The struggle to accomplish integration of the product development process as well as the whole organisational is harsh and existing theories provides few directions for how to accomplish this. Drawing on the concept of Engineering Management, the paper identifies significant fields for future research, e.g. competence integration, process models for project integration, multi-project integration, and integration of short and long-term perspectives

A distributed manufacturing execution system implemented with agents: the PABADIS model

Abstract: The PABADIS project aims at constructing a manufacturing execution system with a collection of autonomous production agents, which will co-operate to ensure the proper execution of manufacturing orders This implementation addresses very flexible manufacturing systems, where machines are likely to be dynamically connected and re-configured in a network, and will provide future plants with highly variable and reactive tools for the management and the control of distributed production systems We give an insight on the principles of the generation of product agents within a PABADIS agency

CAPE applications in special glasses manufacturing

Abstract: The development and consolidation of CAPE - computer aided production engineering - as an innovative engineering approach for the design, modeling and simulation of production processes allows to obtain plant configurations organically planned and rationally sized. We show the result obtained by means of the use of eM-Plant by Tecnomatix Technologies for the solution of problems concerning the operating management of a production system working upon order. By knowing the quality and quantity of the lots to be produced in advance, analyzing the resources to be employed and simulating the various production phases, we obtained the management plant definition allowing to optimize the operating sequence and ensuring a considerable cut in production time and costs

Status and Expectation of Research on Integrated Planning for Steel Production

Abstract: Taking production of iron and steel enterprise as a background, the position of integrated management in the enterprise management is presented. Further more, the developing trend of steel production process management and production planning theory method are summarized. This production plan is the core function of MES. Also the synthetically integrated method for strategic and integrated management, integrated multi process as well as production planning is pointed out and it is major trend for current and future. The application effect of integrated production planning is noticeable. At the same time, paying attention to the three side problems of " target, management, technology " is necessary to achieve researching and developing effectively.

Knowledge Management in Problem-Based Educational Engineering Design Projects*

Abstract: This paper describes an approach to a more systematic and goal-directed way of handling knowledge in educational engineering design projects. A knowledge management concept consisting of an IT-based knowledge management platform and a knowledge management training as an integrated part of the training of other fundamental trans-disciplinary competencies is introduced. This contribution is based on experiences in problem-based teaching in engineering design projects at the Technical University of Berlin as well as in experiences in implementing knowledge management into industry.

Making a spectacle

Abstract: A conventional scatter plot representation of actual and planned manufacturing sequence is difficult to interpret without significant background knowledge of both local conditions and the generic manufacturing process. Visualisation can remove these barriers and promote understanding of the underlying manufacturing conditions that contribute to a given level of performance. Manufacturing professionals armed with this knowledge have an opportunity to improve the accuracy of related decision making. A functional prototype has been developed to present automotive manufacturing sequence data using a new form of visualisation facilitated through the manipulation of data and database structures.

The Factory is Virtual...The Savings are Real

Abstract: : Modeling and simulation of manufacturability and supportability have been used to different degrees in the JSF, AAAV, DD-21, Future Frigate, Virginia Class Submarine, and many lifecycle extension programs The use of digital manufacturing tools has resulted in innovative manufacturing techniques to significantly reduce tooling cost and to create modular build and test methodologies Supportability studies have impacted designs to reduce lifecycle costs by reducing manning levels, by eliminating the need for special tooling and by avoiding un-maintainable conditions, The number of physical product prototypes and tooling mock-ups has been reduced by proving out tooling and processes in the 3D digital environment Based on the learning curves experienced in the digital manufacturing environment, initial physical prototype builds have been completed with significantly fewer labor hours than have historically been required, and without the delays and costs associated with missing un-buildable conditions before the physical build, Reductions in nonconformances during the initial build versus previous programs have exceeded 90 percent, The modeling and simulation efforts of the IPT during the design and engineering, manufacturing and development phases are now being used for generating electronic 3D work instructions and serve as the build-to authority for the shop floor, The same models and similar processes can be utilized for service and maintenance processes,

Bringing the Outside, Inside - Engineering for Sustainable Futures

Abstract: This paper offers a new paradigm for engineering education and therefore for engineering. This paper proposes a future for engineering where sustainability is deeply embedded in the things that engineering produces (i.e. its outcomes), in the way engineering is practiced (i.e. its operational processes and structures), and in the way engineers and engineering learn (i.e. its evolutionary processes). Further, this paper proceeds on the assumption that the core elements of the engineers' role in modern society are project management, problem solving and solution development. We will begin by examining the concept of sustainable engineering outcomes, in an environment which is fundamentally problematic, and then move on to examine the necessary prerequisites for sustainable engineering practice, which, in turn, will require us to explicate the necessary adaptations in engineering education and institutional arrangements.

The engineering curicullum for 2020: values, variability, improvement and knowledge

Abstract: Designing an engineering curriculum based on well-established quality principles is the theme of this paper. A curriculum will be presented that is self-sustained and grows to meet and exceed current and future demands. It is based on clear vision, values, variability, knowledge and awareness of the inherent worth of people. It capitalizes on the successful lean production thinking of the automobile industry, proceeds with the Deming philosophy for improving quality, and continues with the inherent human aspect of people. The human aspect utilizes the fact that successful institutions practice their true beliefs rather than simply profess them. This paper concludes by introducing the concept of self-deception to prepare the reader to embrace and implement the current proposed solution: a solution that will reverse the continuous escalating cost of our education system by creating an environment of teaming, continuous improvement, flattening the organization, and assigning the faculty to do what they were trained and hired to do, in a happy and healthy productive working environment.

The development of manufacturing case studies

Abstract: In manufacturing engineering education, there is a need for problem-solving projects that reflect real issues to supplement or replace drill and practice problems. Authentic activities offer an opportunity to apply new knowledge and skills to manufacturing engineering problems, test theories, and draw conclusions in a safe environment with the help of peers and mentors. Case studies add relevance and real world context to manufacturing engineering education. At Greenfield Coalition, two case studies were developed on the basis of real issues faced by the Focus: HOPE Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT), a tier-one supplier to the automotive industry. The first involves superficial irregularity - determining why some, but not all, batches of aluminum manifold castings discolor during machining. The second study involves dimensional irregularities - stabilizing bore dimensions for a pulley used in the manufacture of diesel engines. Both studies require student teams to brainstorm potential causes, generate solutions and select the best method for elimination of the problems. The final deliverable for each case is a report similar to one that night is presented to management of a given organization. By employing case studies in manufacturing engineering education, students learn to apply skills and techniques to new situations just as they would have to perform on the job.

Design Wisdom of Production System Designers

Abstract: Efficient production systems are necessary for the realization of products that fulfil customer needs and delivery requirements. Generally, the task of designing production systems belongs to the Production Engineering field. The system design work is, therefore, often managed and performed by production engineers at manufacturing plants with the support of relevant expertise from other disciplines. The paper discusses the production system design process from different perspectives such as how the design work is planned and performed, and by whom. The focus is put on the system designers and how to compose and manage a design team, the impact of the system designers, choice of internal or external designers, and use of analytical and creative abilities when designing. Furthermore, different perspectives and attitudes affecting the system design preconditions are identified and analysed, and the topic of design wisdom is discussed.

Digital enterprises: first results of a national R&D project

Abstract: Today's complex manufacturing systems operate in a changing environment rife with uncertainty. The performance of manufacturing companies ultimately hinges on their ability to rapidly adapt production to current internal and external circumstances. Partly based on a running national research project on digital enterprises and production networks, the paper illustrates how the concepts of intelligent manufacturing systems and digital enterprises can contribute to the solution of the above problems.