Axiomatic modelling of agile production system design

The manufacturing organisations are witnessing a transformation in the manufacturing paradigm due to increasing competition. Agile manufacturing (AM) is a contemporary manufacturing paradigm which enables the organisations to survive in this competitive scenario. Design engineering is a vital technological enabler of AM. The research on axiomatic design in the field of AM is found to be feeble. In this context, this paper reports an axiomatic model of agile production system design using process variables. A hierarchical structure has been developed to model the design process of an agile production system composed of functional requirements, design parameters and process variables. In the theory of axiomatic design, process variables are created by mapping the design parameters in the process domain. This article serves as an efficient guideline for the design process to clarify the tools, methods and resources of designing agile production system of Indian electronic switches manufacturing organisation.     

基于管理熵的生产系统柔性决策

建立了生产系统柔性的管理熵模型,将生产系统柔性视为生产管理力对生产系统施加管理功的过程.将生产系统在管理熵空间映射为结构柔性、功能柔性和信息柔性三维模型,将生产系统的柔性转化为三维空间上的容易量化的矢量簇.用总熵函数表达三维空间矢量簇间的相互作用,给出了生产系统柔性定量度量的五项启发式规则.     

Production line 3D visualization monitoring system design based on OpenGL

New production line management technologies are required and adopted recently with the development of modern manufacturing industry. In this study, a production line three-dimensional (3D) visualization monitoring system based on OpenGL modeling, open database connectivity (ODBC), and database management technology is established on a VC++6.0 platform to satisfy effective production. A client/server model is adopted in the system, and data on processing information, interactive operation, and failure process are stored in the server side database. A client reads the workpiece process information from the server, and the machining process of every workpiece is visually represented in the form of 3D visualization. Production line 3D visualization provides production capacity simulation to optimize the parameter settings. When compared with the analysis results of production line capacity, the key parameters possess the same optimal values, and this proves the accuracy of production line 3D visualization monitoring system. The system provides effective data support for production line monitoring and management in enterprises. The full text can be downloaded at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40436-018-0217-x     

Measuring information flow in the detailed design of construction projects

Waste in engineering design has many facets, from partial utilization of the solution space, to wasteful management of design resources, and creation of erroneous and ineffective design documents. In the detailed construction documentation design phase of construction projects with teams comprising multiple independent designers, slow and interrupted information flows lead to significant waste. Applying lean principles, such as reducing batch sizes, cycle times and work in progress inventories, to the management of information flows may improve processes and reduce waste in this phase of the design process, but the lack of a method for measuring the volume, rate and effectiveness of information flow is an obstacle to research. This study proposes measuring the flow of information in the process of detailed design where construction documents are prepared. Measures and indices of flow were formulated based on examination of empirical data compiled by monitoring flows of design information in the detailed design stage of each of fourteen construction projects. Data describing the flows was drawn from the database logs created through practitioners’ use of a project extranet service. Indices for identifying information flow bottlenecks, large batch sizes and accumulation of work in process were computed and validated for four of the projects by comparing them with the results of independent observations of design coordination meetings. An index for measuring rework was also computed but could not be validated. The indices and information flow graphs are intended to assist in identifying faults or bottlenecks in the process either as they happen or in retrospective study, indicating disruptions in the information flow. As such, they are important tools for research of engineering design and may be of practical use in design management if incorporated in future online design management tools.     

Complex system design technique

The development of concepts for new generations of products that are located at the convergence of various cutting-edge technologies requires: integration of knowledge from different fields of science and technology; the management of non-linear interactions of technical, cognitive and organizational nature; the handling of multiple and inconsistent information; innovative solving of negative correlations between different system's characteristics, etc. Despite specialists’ experience, empirical approaches to the synthesis process for this category of products do not represent a reliable solution. An innovative tool for the systematic management of the synthesis process of complex innovative products is introduced in this paper. It is called the complex system design technique (CSDT) and incorporates a set of coefficients and a specific algorithm that take data from product performance planning process (e.g. data extracted from QFD-type matrices) for the formulation of a working scheme for system design (WSSD). This scheme represents a practical tool for the new product synthesis (design) process. It also allows systematic integration of innovation and analysis tools (e.g. TRIZ, AFD, Pugh, Design-FMEA, etc.) in the product synthesis process.     

可持续设计方法的多维分析及其可视化

目的厘清“可持续设计”的概念缘起及发展现状,从方法角度对可持续设计做出新思考。方法通过文献整理法,从可持续发展观着手,全面梳理可持续设计观念的发展脉络、相关定义、研究内容,归纳出可持续设计的一般定义及现阶段缺失的内容;通过数据分析法,选定符合本文研究立场的方法条目,根据可持续设计的内容及特点,从“流程(双钻模型)-属性(定性与定量)-对象”三个维度进行分类;通过比较分析法,对方法进行单维度、双维度、三维度的内容对比与具体分析,挖掘不同维度间的隐藏信息和潜在关联,最终筛选出可持续设计的核心方法。结论可持续设计在方法层面上呈现出渗透迭代的发展状态,表现出以递进式系统创新策略为基础的发展趋势,属于凌驾于其他领域方法的集合型设计观念,为可持续设计方法的发展历程归纳总结和趋势预测提供了新的思路与模式。     

Safety analysis of manual tasks in automatic production systems--implications for design

A safety procedure for application in the design of automatic production systems is outlined. It involves the specification on safety requirements for a particular system on the basis of general safety requirements and of the results of a safety analysis. During the safety analysis, work tasks inside the danger zone of the system and potential accident scenarios related to these tasks are identified, and safety measures are evaluated. Various checklists have been developed to support each step in the analysis. The method for safety analysis has been tested in field studies of three automatic production systems in operation: two mechanical systems and one process plant. The aim has been to evaluate the method and to collect operational experience concerning accident risks and preventive measures to be considered in design. The main results of the studies are presented, and considerations for the use of the method during the design phases are discussed. It is concluded that the approach that has been selected satisfies the needs of a safety procedure for use in design.     

产品设计过程中非模型信息管理方法与管理系统

为了实现产品设计过程中各类非模型交互信息的有效记录与管理,提出了一种面向设计人员的非模型信息管理方法。为准确、客观和全面地记录设计信息,采用多样化信息载体工具对设计信息进行可视化描述,实现模型信息和非模型信息的集成管理与共享。将该方法无缝集成到产品设计软件平台和信息记录与管理软件中,开发出一套产品设计非模型信息管理系统,实现产品设计与信息管理的一体化。实例研究结果表明,设计人员通过该管理系统可实时查阅、描述和管理产品设计过程中产生的各类非模型信息,并能实现信息的自动分类与保存。研究表明所提出的管理方法和管理系统能够实现产品设计过程中非模型信息的有效管理,提高了其使用价值和产品的设计质量。     

A Geodesign Method of Human-Energy-Water Interactive Systems for Urban Infrastructure Design: 10KM2 Near-Zero District Project in Shanghai

The grand challenges of climate change demand a new paradigm of urban design that takes the performance of urban systems into account, such as energy and water efficiency. Traditional urban design methods focus on the form-making process and lack performance dimensions. Geodesign is an emerging approach that emphasizes the links between systems thinking, digital technology, and geographic context. This paper presents the research results of the first phase of a larger research collaboration and proposes an extended geodesign method for a district-scale urban design to integrate systems of renewable energy production, energy consumption, and storm water management, as well as a measurement of human experiences in cities. The method incorporates geographic information system (GIS), parametric modeling techniques, and multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) tools that enable collaborative design decision-making. The method is tested and refined in a test case with the objective of designing a near-zero-energy urban district. Our final method has three characteristics. ① Integrated geodesign and parametric design: It uses a parametric design approach to generate focal-scale district prototypes by means of a custom procedural algorithm, and applies geodesign to evaluate the performances of design proposals. ② A focus on design flow: It elaborates how to define problems, what information is selected, and what criteria are used in making design decisions. ③ Multi-objective optimization: The test case produces indicators from performance modeling and derives principles through a multi-objective computational experiment to inform how the design can be improved. This paper concludes with issues and next steps in modeling urban design and infrastructure systems based on MDO tools.     

Process planning for sheet metal parts based on information management

Design and manufacturing processes and their mutual interaction are reflected by the Manufacturing Engineering Reference Model. Information management, as the kernel of this reference model, encompasses structures that reflect the information. The three information structures that are discerned refer to products, resources and orders respectively. Originating from the demand for Concurrent Engineering, augmented effort is invested in the integration of the different processes applied in the manufacturing cycle of products. This paper discusses the integration of design and process planning-which is one of the main topics in Concurrent Engineering-along with the demand for Design for Manufacturing. Emphasis is on the application of production method knowledge and design support, especially for sheet metal parts.     

Feature-based integration of conceptual and detailed mould design

The plastic production industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, and injection mould, which is especially widely used in 4C (computer, communication, consumer electronics, and car) products, is the most popular in moulding plastic. The diverse requirements of customers and pressures of just-in-time production are big challenges in the injection mould industry. The advantages, that keep products’ quality and increase work efficiency, will decide a company's competitive capabilities. Therefore, this study proposes a feature-based integration of the conceptual and detailed mould design process within the computer-aided design (CAD) tool. It adopts a feature-oriented method and the dedicated application programming interface (API) to implement the features integration function of the conceptual and detailed mould design. Based on intellectualised, customised, and standardised procedures, not only does this prevent probable engineering mistakes and generate consistent web reports, but also transmits the intact feature information from conceptual to detailed mould design, thus shortening detailed mould design processes. In the case studies of this paper, using the feature-based navigating system can result in time savings up to 56% and 59%. The results show significant time savings over traditional mould design processes.     

Simultaneous engineering in design and manufacture using the RTM process

Simultaneous engineering allows different teams to work on the same project, from design to manufacture, including sizing, dimensional checks or production management. The implications of various options can be followed in real time due to the use of the same computer files. This is evident for RTM technology, some stages of the process being completely interdependent. Indeed, the shapes of the designed parts must allow layering of reinforcements. This reinforcement gives the local fibre orientation, which in turn gives the material its local mechanical characteristics as well as the main flow directions. It is then possible to determine the dimensions of the part by a structure calculation, and to simulate the manufacture process.     

生产计划管理编制系统的开发和应用

基于二纺机现有生产管理模式 ,利用Foxpro开发工具及Novell网络 ,设计开发出了基于Win98中文平台下的计算机生产计划管理系统 ,该系统集生产计划管理的编制、打印、查询、统计、汇总功能于一体 ,包罗了生产中所需要的各种有关信息 ,实现信息资源的共享 .系统投入实际应用后 ,解决了生产中的无序、盲目状态 ,清晰地反映出了生产流程 ,使生产管理处于受控中 .     

Power of experimental design studies for the validation of pharmaceutical processes: case study of a multilayer tablet manufacturing process

Experimental design studies (EDS) are already widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for drug formulation or process optimization. Rare are the situations in which this methodology is applied for validation purposes. The power of this statistical tool, key element of a global validation strategy, is demonstrated for a multilayer tablet manufacturing process. Applied to the Geomatrix® system generally composed of one compression and three granulation processes, time and strictness gains are non-negligible. Experimental design studies are not used in this work for modeling. Introduced at each important step of the process development, they allow for the evaluation of process ruggedness at pilot scale and specifications for full production. A demonstration of the complete control of key process parameters is given, identified throughout preliminary studies.     

设计管理的脉络:方法学视角

目的围绕设计管理的定义及方法,探讨设计管理的学科本质与一般程序,解析设计管理的脉络发展。方法通过文献研究法,梳理设计管理的学科发展脉络并聚类分析其现有定义;基于狭义定义,就方法学视角,以科学计量的方法,从研究对象、定性定量、设计流程三个维度来收集、归类与比较设计管理方法。结论设计管理的狭义定义是企业为实现目标对项目层面、组织层面、战略层面的设计资源和设计活动,进行规划、制定、执行、评价的一切管理活动。通过可视化工具辅助分析后,呈现出组织层方法、定量方法过少,“要素”包含“维度”等分布特点。最后,在基本理解设计管理的本质与一般程序的基础上,提出了两个问题,即设计组织管理作为设计管理的重要内容,相应的设计方法却没有得到应有的开发与应用;设计管理作为设计学与管理学的交叉学科,其方法却并未体现科学管理的优势。     

Object-oriented modelling of manufacturing information system for collaborative design

Object-oriented technology has been widely acclaimed as offering a revolution in computing that is resolving a myriad of problems inherent in developing and managing organisational information processing capabilities. Although its foundations arose in computer programming languages, object-oriented technology has implications for a wide range of business computing activities including: programming, analysis and design, information management, and information sharing. The problematic issues in the development of manufacturing software systems are related to the various characteristics of manufacturing systems, which are wide, dynamic and complex. Design for manufacturing (DFM) is the integrated practice of designing components while considering their manufacturability, and its benefits are widely acknowledged in the industry. A model has been developed using object oriented technology, after analysing the fundamental elements necessary for modelling manufacturing and process planning framework used in collaborative design and manufacturing in machine tool manufacturing. The main components of this model are: process planning model (PPM), manufacturing activity model (MAM), manufacturing resource model (MRM) and manufacturing cost and time model. We are using ontologies in conjunction with specific conceptual models, which can contribute to improve the interoperability between these models. The performance of this model is shown by means of one real world case. The developed manufacturing information based design tool integrated with an intelligence design system can be used for collaborative design and manufacturing, which will support machine tool designers’ to achieve cost effective and timely design.     

视觉认知视角下工业制造信息图符研究进展

目的 随着信息技术的发展,数字化、智能化的工业系统在企业生产安全、生产效率、节约成本等方面发挥着巨大作用.作为复杂信息的载体,工业信息图符在智能化产线控制系统中起着重要作用,符合视觉认知规律的工业信息图符设计可提高信息搜索的效率和准确度.方法 通过文献搜集和整理,分析视觉认知视角下工业信息图符可视化研究进展,从视觉认知理论和工业信息图符研究入手,阐述相关研究成果.结论 总结了国内外视觉认知与工业信息图符的研究现状;从感知特性、感知模型、感知技术三方面分析了视觉认知研究进展及方向;从模式识别、模版匹配、特征分析、原型匹配四个维度探究了操作员视觉搜索机制;从图符语义、图符定义与分类、图符设计原则、图符设计评价四个维度进行了相关研究;研究了工业信息图符语义与实体的关联性;从视觉标记机制出发,提出了从信息特征、语义范畴和空间布局三个层面探讨工业信息图符设计的合理性与必要性.     

高频直缝电阻焊管企业多阶段生产计划建模及管理信息系统设计

生产计划是企业生产管理的重要起点和依据。为避免以往采用人工排产方式所导致的资源浪费,达到最优排产策略,基于高频直缝电阻焊管（Electric Resistance Welding,ERW）企业的生产特点,针对多阶段生产计划建立了提前/拖期惩罚数学模型。考虑了交货期窗口、库存影响、企业产能、维修停机等约束条件,以惩罚费用最小作为优化生产计划的目标,采用遗传算法有效求解及优化了该问题。利用Visual Studio2010建立B/S模式的管理信息系统对数学模型进行功能实现,通过COM接口将MATLAB与B/S系统联动实现算法嵌入,完成了对生产计划的求解与管理信息系统的开发。管理信息系统在特定企业运用的结果表明：该模型及管理信息系统符合企业生产计划编制需求,达到了预期目标,具有较好的学术价值和实际意义。     

基于设计环境的图纸BOM管理系统

随着无纸化生产模式的普及,大量工程图和BOM数据的管理成了一个重要的研究领域。论文介绍一种基于设计环境的图纸BOM管理系统,该系统以整个产品或者是整个部件的图纸为划分,基于数据库技术,直接集成于CAD环境中,免去了PDM、PLM等管理软件繁琐的流程管理,更接近设计人员的使用习惯,系统以工程图纸为数据基础,可以生成多种格式的BOM报表,通过在企业的实际应用中证明了该系统的可靠和高效。     

Making IT fit: the design of integrated manufacturing systems

One of the important implications of information technology (IT) is that it has made possible widespread automation in manufacturing industry. However, the bulk of this has involved discrete automation of single plant items or process elements rather than the total production system. Although the capital cost of such total system automation is a significant factor in slowing the rate of change in this direction, there are also a number of problem issues related to the integration of machines, computers and human systems within manufacture and design. Arguably the types of issue involved are not fully understood and in many cases the technological change is demanding totally new approaches and responses to the design of production systems and the traditional manufacture/design connections.The paper explores some of the issues raised in advanced manufacturing systems, drawing on case study research into the adoption of flexible manufacturing systems as an example of computer-integrated manufacture. It comments on the experience of case study firms and presents some comments on the design problems facing those responsible for integrated manufacturing systems.