A framework for ICT-enabled real-time production planning and control

This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework for real-time production planning and control(PPC).Firstly,we discuss the most prominently applied contemporary information and communication technologies for PPC.Enterprise resource planning(ERP) systems that integrate the value chain in an enterprise,manufacturing execution systems that manage and control the production on shopfloor,and advanced planning and scheduling(APS)systems that develop solutions for complex planning problems are the planning and control systems that have been analyzed.We emphasize the application of radio frequency identification as the most advanced and promising emerging real-time data capture technology that is currently available to manufacturers.Having analyzed the features and shortcomings of the individual systems perse,and by considering the advantages that may be realized through effective integration of these otherwise discrete systems,we propose a framework for real-time PPC.     

A combined model predictive control and time series forecasting framework for production-inventory systems

Model Predictive Control (MPC) has been previously applied to supply chain problems with promising results; however most systems that have been proposed so far possess no information on future demand. The incorporation of a forecasting methodology in an MPC framework can promote the efficiency of control actions by providing insight in the future. In this paper this possibility is explored, by proposing a complete management framework for production-inventory systems that is based on MPC and on a neural network time series forecasting model. The proposed framework is tested on industrial data in order to assess the efficiency of the method and the impact of forecast accuracy on the overall control performance. To this end, the proposed method is compared with several alternative forecasting approaches that are implemented on the same industrial dataset. The results show that the proposed scheme can improve significantly the performance of the production-inventory system, due to the fact that more accurate predictions are provided to the formulation of the MPC optimization problem that is solved in real time.     

Manufacturing planning and control approaches: market alignment and performance

The design of manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems is a strategic decision for manufacturing operations. In this paper we analyze the interrelationships between the choice of MPC approaches at different hierarchical levels with market requirements and operational performance. These relationships are explored through an extensive survey comprising responses from 128 manufacturing firms. The results show that the choice of MPC approaches, primarily at the sales and operations planning and master scheduling levels, has a significant mediating role in improving performance. The alignment between market requirements and the choice of MPC approaches is significant and has a significant impact on performance. In a dynamic environment, the choice of MPC approaches is shown to have a positive mediating effect on operational performance.     

关于CAPP的实践与思考

制造底层信息化是制造业信息化的薄弱环节，计算机辅助工艺规划（CAPP）不仅是制造底层信息化的重要研究领域之一，也是联系底层信息化与上层信息化的桥梁。工艺设计具有范围广、内容多以及个性化强等特点，因此难以实现通用化及商品化；而工艺设计是许多制造活动的交汇点，是与其他信息系统集成困难的主要原因之一。文章介绍了在CAPP方面的研究特色，包括应用框架技术实现开放式CAPP平台，通过BOM转换实现集成化，以及通过解决行业问题加强CAPP的推广实施等；指出了定量化CAPP、基于3D模型的CAPP能主车间级CAPP将是CAPP的重要发展方向。     

A formal structure and implementation of a robotic material handling controller in an automated shop floor environment

This paper proposes a formal structure and framework for a robotic material handling (MH) equipment-level controller in a hierarchical shop floor control architecture. This framework essentially attempts to integrate shop-level process planning with material handling at the workplace. Handling operations are therefore integrated with manufacturing functions in order to ensure 'seamless' material transfer and processing. The responsibilities of the MH equipment controller include: interface with a MH robot; read and interpret handling plans from a database (in the form of an AND/OR graph); plan and schedule MH activities; perform path planning and grasp planning for the required task; generate generic robot-level commands automatically; and convert generic robot-level commands to robot-specific instructions. A MH equipment-level controller has been designed and implemented for a PUMA 560 robot in the CIM lab at the Pennsylvania State University. The proposed controller can work for various situations and job volumes. In addition, by creating the framework described in this paper, extending the concept for other parts and obstacles with various features, coordinating the vision system or the CAD system to the proposed controller, and combining complete path planning and grasp planning systems, a fully operational MH equipment-level controller can be realized.     

An event-driven manufacturing information system architecture for Industry 4.0

Future manufacturing systems need to be more flexible, to embrace tougher and constantly changing market demands. They need to make better use of plant data, ideally utilising all data from the entire plant. Low-level data should be refined to real-time information for decision-making, to facilitate competitiveness through informed and timely decisions. The Line Information System Architecture (LISA), is presented in this paper. It is an event-driven architecture featuring loose coupling, a prototype-oriented information model and formalised transformation services. LISA is designed to enable flexible factory integration and data utilisation. The focus of LISA is on integration of devices and services on all levels, simplifying hardware changes and integration of new smart services as well as supporting continuous improvements on information visualisation and control. The architecture has been evaluated on both real industrial data and industrial demonstrators and it is also being installed at a large automotive company. This article is an extended and revised version of the paper presented at the 2015 IFAC Symposium on Information Control in Manufacturing (INCOM 2015). The paper has been restructured in regards to the order and title of the chapters, and additional information about the integration between devices and services aspects have been added. The introduction and the general structure of the paper now better highlight the contributions of the paper and the uniqueness of the framework.     

Integration of production planning,project management and logistics systems for supply chain management

The objective of this research was to develop an integrated framework to handle application modules in enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SCM) systems that traditionally needs to be interfaced on a case-by-case basis. This paper presents a framework integrating various modules in both systems, for planning, control and execution of materials, resources and operations. The framework enables planning and execution over a range of areas, from flow to project-based manufacturing and distribution from suppliers to customers. This document presents the conceptual framework development along with algorithms for scheduling paths, and illustrated numerical examples in the supply chain environment. The numerical evaluation of scheduling paths and planning of components, in the integrated networks, shows that the developed framework could cater for ERP/SCM application modules. The framework also facilitates simultaneous planning of many components, and eliminates the need for separate modules in ERPSCM systems. It enhances planning, control and execution, and simplifies the vendor follow-up system by integrating supplier components into the integrated network. The framework therefore becomes a new production planning (PP) module in integrated ERP/SCM systems and can provide links to other manufacturing philosophies, such as just-in-time (JIT).     

A framework for integrating databases with knowledge bases for structural engineering

The focus of this paper is on the problem of how can we easily combine the advantages of database and knowledge-based systems. Solving this problem has the potential to radically extend the usefulness of existing database systems. Conversely, the solution would also make large-scale knowledge-based systems less costly to construct. In order to solve this problem, we present a framework for exploring the various alternatives in the integration of the two kinds of systems. We also use this framework to motivate our proposed solution: knowledge-embedded database systems. Our proposal entails the use of simple but powerful extensions of a database system to increase its ability to represent and manipulate knowledge. We describe Kbase, an environment for developing knowledge-embedded database systems. We further illustrate our proposed solution with IPDOS, a Kbase application for the preliminary design of offshore structures.     

Linking manufacturing strategy decisions on process choice with manufacturing planning and control systems

For any manufacturing firm, theory suggests that the firm is better off if the manufacturing planning and control (MPC) system supports the market strategy as well as the manufacturing strategy. Typically, the strongest link between market requirements and manufacturing strategy concerns the process choice, i.e. choosing a manufacturing process that supports a firm's competitive priorities. The general aim of this paper is to examine the role of the MPC system in a manufacturing strategy. More specifically, the purpose is to link market requirements, product characteristics, and the process choice to the MPC system. A special focus will be placed on the link between the process choice and the design of the MPC system. Two key factors are identified as major processspecific elements influencing the MPC system design: the number of planning points, and set-up times at individual resources. The process choice affects the lower planning levels of the MPC systems, where the physical reality of the plant becomes apparent. This is especially true for production activity control, but also for requirements planning (material and capacity). Concerning the MPC system design for longer-term planning, such as sales and operations planning and master scheduling, the impact from market requirements and product characteristics dominates.     

The impact of supply chain analytics on operational performance: a resource-based view

This study seeks to better understand the role of supply chain analytics (SCA) on supply chain planning satisfaction and operational performance. We define the architecture of SCA as the integration of three sets of resources, data management resources (DMR), IT-enabled planning resources and performance management resources (PMR), from the perspective of a resource-based view. Based on the data collected from 537 manufacturing plants, we test hypotheses exploring the relationships among these resources, supply chain planning satisfaction, and operational performance. Our analysis supports that DMR should be considered a key building block of manufacturers’ business analytics initiatives for supply chains. The value of data is transmitted to outcome values through increasing supply chain planning and performance capabilities. Additionally, the deployment of advanced IT-enabled planning resources occurs after acquisition of DMR. Manufacturers with sophisticated planning technologies are likely to take advantage of data-driven processes and quality control practices. DMR are found to be a stronger predictor of PMR than IT planning resources. All three sets of resources are related to supply chain planning satisfaction and operational performance. The paper concludes by reviewing research limitations and suggesting further SCA research issues.     

Hypoelastic soft tissues

In Part I, a novel hypoelastic framework for soft-tissues was presented. One of the hallmarks of this new theory is that the well-known exponential behavior of soft-tissues arises consistently and spontaneously from the integration of a rate based formulation. In Part II, we examine the application of this framework to the problem of biaxial kinematics, which are common in experimental soft-tissue characterization. We confine our attention to an isotropic formulation in order to highlight the distinction between non-linearity and anisotropy. In order to provide a sound foundation for the membrane extension of our earlier hypoelastic framework, the kinematics and kinetics of in-plane biaxial extension are revisited, and some enhancements are provided. Specifically, the conventional stress-to-traction mapping for this boundary value problem is shown to violate the conservation of angular momentum. In response, we provide a corrected mapping. In addition, a novel means for applying loads to in-plane biaxial experiments is proposed. An isotropic, isochoric, hypoelastic, constitutive model is applied to an in-plane biaxial experiment done on glutaraldehyde treated bovine pericardium. The experiment is comprised of eight protocols that radially probe the biaxial plane. Considering its simplicity (two adjustable parameters) the model does a reasonably good job of describing the non-linear normal responses observed in these experimental data, which are more prevalent than are the anisotropic responses exhibited by this tissue.     

Repair-control of enterprise systems using RFID sensory data

This paper presents an architecture for implementing real-time enterprise planning, scheduling and control processes based on information provided by radio frequency identification (RFID) sensing systems. It introduces a new paradigm, called repair, for modeling enterprise processes that is based on the idea of incremental performance improvements and disruption minimization. The proposed model is expressed using differential equations with discontinuous right-hand sides. The repair framework is suitable for implementing enterprise feedback control systems that can easily be interfaced with an existing enterprise resource planning infrastructure. RFID sensing systems have the potential to provide the real-time data needed to implement enterprise feedback functionality.     

A review of: “Dynamic Programming: A Practical Introduction.” By DAVID K. SMITH (Ellis Horwood, 1991) [Pp. 160] Price: £15·95.

The need is described for an architectural framework which unifies the use of an open systems integrating infrastructure and a modelling framework to enable wider-scope CIM systems to be designed, implemented and maintained. In addition, an industrial case study use of the CIM-BIOSYS integrating infrastructure is reported to highlight the benefits of its use, particularly in terms of the ability to manage and support inherent integration processes in a highly flexible, extendible and maintainable manner.     

Microfabricated Biomaterials for Engineering 3D Tissues

Mimicking natural tissue structure is crucial for engineered tissues with intended applications ranging from regenerative medicine to biorobotics. Native tissues are highly organized at the microscale, thus making these natural characteristics an integral part of creating effective biomimetic tissue structures. There exists a growing appreciation that the incorporation of similar highly organized microscale structures in tissue engineering may yield a remedy for problems ranging from vascularization to cell function control/determination. In this review, we highlight the recent progress in the field of microscale tissue engineering and discuss the use of various biomaterials for generating engineered tissue structures with microscale features. In particular, we will discuss the use of microscale approaches to engineer the architecture of scaffolds, generate artificial vasculature, and control cellular orientation and differentiation. In addition, the emergence of microfabricated tissue units and the modular assembly to emulate hierarchical tissues will be discussed.     

Engineering Informatics: State of the Art and Future Trends

Engineering informatics is an emerging engineering discipline integrating information technology or informatics with a variety of engineering disciplines. It is an interdisciplinary scientific subject focusing on applying advanced information and communications technology (ICT) to a variety of engineering disciplines. Rapid advances in industrial information integration methods have spurred the growth of new techniques that can be used for probing industrial information integration including engineering informatics. These techniques include business process management (BPM), enterprise architecture (EA), enterprise application integration (EAI), service-oriented architecture (SOA), and others. Practical applications may require a combination of these techniques that have originated from different disciplines. These techniques have the potential to contribute to engineering informatics. For integrating complex engineering systems, both formal methods and systems methods are crucial. In this paper, we briefl review the state of the art of engineering informatics as it interfacing with industrial information integration.     

Quantitative approaches for the integration of production and distribution planning in the supply chain: a systematic literature review

Production and distribution are the two primary internal elements of the supply chain. This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of quantitative approaches for the integration of production and distribution planning (IPDP) in the supply chain. We provide a classification framework with eight dimensions and give a brief overview of the quantitative approaches such as modelling approaches and solution approaches for the IPDP problem in the supply chain. The SLR has been carried out using two basic search databases Scopus and Web of Science. In all, we identify relevant articles in the period from 2000 to 2019. We also highlight certain research opportunities, suggestions, and research gaps for possible future research by assessing the current knowledge on the quantitative approaches for IPDP problems in the supply chain.     

B-spline approximation in boundary face method for three-dimensional linear elasticity

In this paper, basis functions generated from B-spline or Non-Uniform Rational B-spline (NURBS), are used for approximating the boundary variables to solve the 3D linear elasticity Boundary Integral Equations (BIEs). The implementation is based on the BFM framework in which both boundary integration and variable approximation are performed in the parametric spaces of the boundary surfaces to keep the exact geometric information in the BIEs. In order to reduce the influence of tensor product of B-spline and make the discretization of a body surface easier, the basis functions defined in global intervals are translated into local form. B-spline fitting function built with the local basis functions is converted into an interpolation type of function in which the nodal values of the boundary variables are used for control points. Numerical tests for 3D linear elasticity problems show that the BFM with B-spline basis functions outperforms that with the well-known Moving Least Square (MLS) approximation.     

基于面向服务架构的企业资源规划架构研究

研究了传统ERP系统存在的问题,提出并且设计了基于SOA架构的ERP系统架构——“3＋2”模式,为ERP系统的开发提供了指导性的架构,同时预见性地指出基于SOA架构的ERP系统的优势和劣势．