10,714 research outputs found
Realising the open virtual commissioning of modular automation systems
To address the challenges in the automotive industry posed by the need to rapidly manufacture more
product variants, and the resultant need for more adaptable production systems, radical changes are
now required in the way in which such systems are developed and implemented. In this context, two
enabling approaches for achieving more agile manufacturing, namely modular automation systems
and virtual commissioning, are briefly reviewed in this contribution. Ongoing research conducted at
Loughborough University which aims to provide a modular approach to automation systems design
coupled with a virtual engineering toolset for the (re)configuration of such manufacturing
automation systems is reported. The problems faced in the virtual commissioning of modular
automation systems are outlined. AutomationML - an emerging neutral data format which has
potential to address integration problems is discussed. The paper proposes and illustrates a
collaborative framework in which AutomationML is adopted for the data exchange and data
representation of related models to enable efficient open virtual prototype construction and virtual
commissioning of modular automation systems. A case study is provided to show how to create the
data model based on AutomationML for describing a modular automation system
A Framework for Agile Development of Component-Based Applications
Agile development processes and component-based software architectures are
two software engineering approaches that contribute to enable the rapid
building and evolution of applications. Nevertheless, few approaches have
proposed a framework to combine agile and component-based development, allowing
an application to be tested throughout the entire development cycle. To address
this problematic, we have built CALICO, a model-based framework that allows
applications to be safely developed in an iterative and incremental manner. The
CALICO approach relies on the synchronization of a model view, which specifies
the application properties, and a runtime view, which contains the application
in its execution context. Tests on the application specifications that require
values only known at runtime, are automatically integrated by CALICO into the
running application, and the captured needed values are reified at execution
time to resume the tests and inform the architect of potential problems. Any
modification at the model level that does not introduce new errors is
automatically propagated to the running system, allowing the safe evolution of
the application. In this paper, we illustrate the CALICO development process
with a concrete example and provide information on the current implementation
of our framework
Component-based control system development for agile manufacturing machine systems
It is now a common sense that manufactures including machine suppliers and system
integrators of the 21 st century will need to compete on global marketplaces, which are
frequently shifting and fragmenting, with new technologies continuously emerging.
Future production machines and manufacturing systems need to offer the "agility"
required in providing responsiveness to product changes and the ability to
reconfigure. The primary aim for this research is to advance studies in machine
control system design, in the context of the European project VIR-ENG - "Integrated
Design, Simulation and Distributed Control of Agile Modular Machinery"
Organizational alternatives for flexible manufacturing systems
There is an increasing importance of different productive architectures related to worker involvement in the decision making, where is given due attention to the intuitive capabilities and the human knowledge in the optimization and flexibilization of manufacturing processes. Thus having reference point architecture of a flexible manufacturing and assembling system existent at UNINOVA-CRI, we will present some exploratory hypothesis about applicability of the concept of hybridization and its repercussions on the definition of jobs, in those organizations and in the formation of working teams.flexibility; robotics; work organization; manufacturing industry
Security aspects in cloud based condition monitoring of machine tools
In the modern competitive environments companies must have rapid production systems that are able to deliver parts that satisfy highest quality standards. Companies have also an increased need for advanced machines equipped with the latest technologies in maintenance to avoid any reduction or interruption of production. Eminent therefore is the need to monitor the health status of the manufacturing equipment in real time and thus try to develop diagnostic technologies for machine tools. This paper lays the foundation for the creation of a safe remote monitoring system for machine tools using a Cloud environment for communication between the customer and the maintenance service company. Cloud technology provides a convenient means for accessing maintenance data anywhere in the world accessible through simple devices such as PC, tablets or smartphones. In this context the safety aspects of a Cloud system for remote monitoring of machine tools becomes crucial and is, thus the focus of this pape
Web service control of component-based agile manufacturing systems
Current global business competition has resulted in significant challenges for
manufacturing and production sectors focused on shorter product lifecyc1es, more diverse
and customized products as well as cost pressures from competitors and customers. To
remain competitive, manufacturers, particularly in automotive industry, require the next
generation of manufacturing paradigms supporting flexible and reconfigurable production
systems that allow quick system changeovers for various types of products. In addition,
closer integration of shop floor and business systems is required as indicated by the
research efforts in investigating "Agile and Collaborative Manufacturing Systems" in
supporting the production unit throughout the manufacturing lifecycles.
The integration of a business enterprise with its shop-floor and lifecycle supply partners
is currently only achieved through complex proprietary solutions due to differences in
technology, particularly between automation and business systems. The situation is
further complicated by the diverse types of automation control devices employed.
Recently, the emerging technology of Service Oriented Architecture's (SOA's) and Web
Services (WS) has been demonstrated and proved successful in linking business
applications. The adoption of this Web Services approach at the automation level, that
would enable a seamless integration of business enterprise and a shop-floor system, is an
active research topic within the automotive domain. If successful, reconfigurable
automation systems formed by a network of collaborative autonomous and open control
platform in distributed, loosely coupled manufacturing environment can be realized
through a unifying platform of WS interfaces for devices communication.
The adoption of SOA- Web Services on embedded automation devices can be achieved
employing Device Profile for Web Services (DPWS) protocols which encapsulate device
control functionality as provided services (e.g. device I/O operation, device state
notification, device discovery) and business application interfaces into physical control
components of machining automation. This novel approach supports the possibility of
integrating pervasive enterprise applications through unifying Web Services interfaces
and neutral Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message communication between
control systems and business applications over standard Ethernet-Local Area Networks
(LAN's). In addition, the re-configurability of the automation system is enhanced via the
utilisation of Web Services throughout an automated control, build, installation, test,
maintenance and reuse system lifecycle via device self-discovery provided by the DPWS
protocol...cont'd
Proceedings of International Workshop "Global Computing: Programming Environments, Languages, Security and Analysis of Systems"
According to the IST/ FET proactive initiative on GLOBAL COMPUTING, the goal is to obtain techniques (models, frameworks, methods, algorithms) for constructing systems that are flexible, dependable, secure, robust and efficient.
The dominant concerns are not those of representing and manipulating data efficiently but rather those of handling the co-ordination and interaction, security, reliability, robustness, failure modes, and control of risk of the entities in the system and the overall design, description and performance of the system itself.
Completely different paradigms of computer science may have to be developed to tackle these issues effectively. The research should concentrate on systems having the following characteristics: • The systems are composed of autonomous computational entities where activity is not centrally controlled, either because global control is impossible or impractical, or because the entities are created or controlled by different owners.
• The computational entities are mobile, due to the movement of the physical platforms or by movement of the entity from one platform to another.
• The configuration varies over time. For instance, the system is open to the introduction of new computational entities and likewise their deletion.
The behaviour of the entities may vary over time.
• The systems operate with incomplete information about the environment.
For instance, information becomes rapidly out of date and mobility requires information about the environment to be discovered.
The ultimate goal of the research action is to provide a solid scientific foundation for the design of such systems, and to lay the groundwork for achieving effective principles for building and analysing such systems.
This workshop covers the aspects related to languages and programming environments as well as analysis of systems and resources involving 9 projects (AGILE , DART, DEGAS , MIKADO, MRG, MYTHS, PEPITO, PROFUNDIS, SECURE) out of the 13 founded under the initiative. After an year from the start of the projects, the goal of the workshop is to fix the state of the art on the topics covered by the two clusters related to programming environments and analysis of systems as well as to devise strategies and new ideas to profitably continue the research effort towards the overall objective of the initiative.
We acknowledge the Dipartimento di Informatica and Tlc of the University of Trento, the Comune di Rovereto, the project DEGAS for partially funding the event and the Events and Meetings Office of the University of Trento for the valuable collaboration
The Complementary Effect of Manufacturing Process Modularity and IS Flexibility on Agility in Manufacturing
In the situation of shortened product life cycles, modular product design enables organizations to adapt to unanticipated changes in their environments. This study extends modular systems theory to manufacturing process design and posits that: (i) firms can design their manufacturing processes for the same product into either an integrated or modularized structure, thereby being agile in dynamic environments, and (ii) the effect of manufacturing process modularity on agility is complemented by information systems (IS) flexibility. Conceptually, this study explains how important the congruence between the IS and manufacturing processes is to achieving agility in manufacturing and seeks to demonstrate how an IS adapts to shape agility. For practice, this study suggests that firms should focus their efforts on both IS flexibility and manufacturing process modularity, as well as their harmonization, in addition to modular product design
Operator interfaces for the lifecycle support of component based automation systems
Current manufacturing automation systems (specifically the powertrain sector)
have been facing challenges with constant pressures of globalisation,
environmental concerns and ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
innovations. These challenges instigate new demands for shorter product
lifecycles and require customised products to be manufactured as efficiently as
possible. Manufacturing systems must therefore be agile to remain competitive
by supporting frequent reconfigurations involving distributed engineering
activities. [Continues.
IXPE Mission System Concept and Development Status
The Goal of the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Mi SMEX), is to expand understanding of high-energy astrophysical processes and sources, in support of NASAs first science objective in Astrophysics: Discover how the universe works. IXPE, an international collaboration, will conduct X-ray imaging polarimetry for multiple categories of cosmic X-ray sources such as neutron stars, stellar-mass black holes, supernova remnants and active galactic nuclei. The Observatory uses a single science operational mode capturing the X-ray data from the targets. The IXPE Observatory consists of spacecraft and payload modules built up in parallel to form the Observatory during system integration and test. The payload includes three X-ray telescopes each consisting of a polarization-sensitive, gas pixel X-ray detector, paired with its corresponding grazing incidence mirror module assembly (MMA). A deployable boom provides the correct separation (focal length) between the detector units (DU) and MMAs. These payload elements are supported by the IXPE spacecraft which is derived from the BCP-small spacecraft architecture. This paper summarizes the IXPE mission science objectives, updates the Observatory implementation concept including the payload and spacecraft ts and summarizes the mission status since last years conference
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