Spacelab software development and integration concepts study report, volume 1

The proposed software guidelines to be followed by the European Space Research Organization in the development of software for the Spacelab being developed for use as a payload for the space shuttle are documented. Concepts, techniques, and tools needed to assure the success of a programming project are defined as they relate to operation of the data management subsystem, support of experiments and space applications, use with ground support equipment, and for integration testing

Twin tools for intelligent manufacturing: a case study

The article deals with a case of an industrial plant for which a balanced mix of flexibility and production slenderness is sought together with high quality, transparency and production effectiveness. The study is based on virtual plant assessments (by means of virtual engineering) and considers industrial artefacts (automotive components) aiming at economics of scale figures on short horizons, but undergoing fast updating requests of high flexibility of new hybrid and electric vehicles; the sought solution profits of shop-floor resources modularity and robotic cells use; example simulation issues are given, and the advantages, offered by the use of digital twins, are analyzed

ICD Management (ICDM) tool for embedded systems on aircrafts

International audienceIn the scope of on-board systems development and integration for aircrafts, ICDs (Interface Control Document/Description) are fundamental sources of information at same level that the functional requirements. ICD description must include feasible (bus capacity not exceeded, processing load under specific limits) and accurate (data precision, data retransmission rate, data consistency) inter-connectivity mechanisms, to support the application requirements needs, as well as the information must be easy to update and to maintain.On the other hand, DOORS (IBM) is a tool specialized on requirements management. It faces with aspects as traceability, version control, security (access control), changes control, data persistency and accessibility. DOORS is widely used and it is recognized as a reference tool in the scope of aeronautic developments.Nevertheless, ICD information usually is not managed with DOORS. The reason can be found in the specificities of the nature of ICD information, which suggests other approaches more suitable than DOORS.The alternative approaches are very diverse but most of them focus on handling information typified according to specific meta-models for ICD: databases, customized spreadsheets, and tabular descriptions. But whatever is the solution, it must address also, by its own means, the features of ICD derived of its “requirement nature”.This paper presents a solution based on the integration of DOORS with a user front-end developed with Model Driven Architecture (MDA) and Open Source technologies. It is intended to provide means to manage ICD data in a robust way (guaranteeing the correctness -syntactic, completeness, non ambiguity- of data, changes, versions, dependencies, ...) and additionally, to provide mechanisms to focus the effort on the data transformation rather than on the manual elaboration of derived artefacts

On BIM based automatized nD modelling for construction management

Práce nastiňuje nový přístup k automatizovanému vytváření diskrétních modelů nD BIM prostřednictvím propojení a využití stávající metody CONTEC (stavební technologie), původně navržené pro automatizované plánování stavebních technologií a řízení projektů na základě údajů v podobě rozpočtu nebo rozpisu množství. CONTEC umožňuje automatizaci výroby dat modelu nD, jako je například plán (4D) včetně plánování zdrojů distribuce práce, rozpočet (5D) – založený na připojeném cenovém systému, ale také údaje nD, jako jsou plány na ochranu zdraví a bezpečnosti (plán rizik BOZP), KZP a kontrolních plánů BOZP a environmentálních plánů. Práce zahrnuje praktický příklad propojení stávajícího modelu BIM bez klasifikačního systému do systému CONTEC a automatizovaného vytváření výše zmíněných modelů protokolu nD. Navrhovaná metoda je použitelná i pro stávající klasifikační systémy, ale je užitečná zejména v zemích, kde je vývoj BIM v raných fázích.Thesis outlines new approach in automated creation of the discrete nD BIM models by interlinking and utilization of existing CONTEC (Construction Technology) method, originally designed for automated construction technology planning and project management based on data in the form of budget or bill of quantities. CONTEC enables automation in production of nD model data such as schedule(4D) including work distribution end resource planning, budget(5D) – based on attached pricing system, but also nD data such, as health and safety risks plans (H&S Risk register), quality plans and quality assurance checklists including their monitoring and Environmental plans. Thesis includes practical example of interlinking existing BIM model without classification system to the CONTEC system and automated creation of above mentioned nD models. Proposed method is applicable also to existing classification systems but is especially useful in countries where development of BIM is in early stages

Simulation modelling software approaches to manufacturing problems

Increased competition in many industries has resulted in a greater emphasis on developing and using advanced manufacturing systems to improve productivity and reduce costs. The complexity and dynamic behaviour of such systems, make simulation modelling one of the most popular methods to facilitate the design and assess operating strategies of these systems. The growing need for the use of simulation is reflected by a growth in the number of simulation languages and data-driven simulators in the software market. This thesis investigates which characteristics typical manufacturing simulators possess, and how the user requirements can be better fulfilled. For the purpose of software evaluation, a case study has been carried out on a real manufacturing system. Several simulation models of an automated system for electrostatic powder coating have been developed using different simulators. In addition to the evaluation of these simulators, a comprehensive evaluation framework has been developed to facilitate selection of simulation software for modelling manufacturing systems. Different hierarchies of evaluation criteria have been established for different software purposes. In particular, the criteria that have to be satisfied for users in education differ from those for users in industry. A survey has also been conducted involving a number of users of software for manufacturing simulation. The purpose of the survey was to investigate users' opinions about simulation software, and the features that they desire to be incorporated in simulation software. A methodology for simulation software selection is also derived. It consists of guidelines related to the actions to be taken and factors to be considered during the evaluation and selection of simulation software. On the basis of all the findings, proposals on how manufacturing simulators can be improved are made, both for use in education and in industry. These software improvements should result in a reduction in the amount of time and effort needed for simulation model development, and therefore make simulation more beneficial

Development of a Process Modelling System for Simulation

This thesis details the development of a process modelling technique to aid a simulation model developer during the requirements gathering and conceptual modelling phases of a simulation project. There are a number of process modelling techniques available that are capable of being used during such phases of a simulation project, however there is currently a lack of process modelling techniques developed specifically to aid a simulation model developer in capturing, representing and communicating information and systems issues to persons involved in the operation of discrete systems under investigation. A detailed review of the literature related to techniques capable of supporting the pre-simulation phases of a simulation project is presented. The main conclusion of this review is that there is a specific lack of support available to aid a simulation model developer in the pre-coding phases of a simulation project. Currently there are no process modelling techniques available that specifically support the pre-simulation phases of a discrete event simulation project. To attempt to overcome this shortfall the thesis discusses the development of a process modelling technique specifically developed to support the pre-simulation phases of a simulation project. Objectives in the development of this technique were to develop a technique that: 1. Is capable of capturing a detailed description of a Discrete Event System; 2. Has a low modelling burden and therefore is capable of being used by non specialists; 3. Presents modelling information at a high semantic level so that manufacturing personnel can rationalise with it; 4. Has good visualisation capabilities. The technique developed is called Simulation Activity Diagrams (SADs). To demonstrate the ability of the SAD technique to model discrete event information a prototype process modelling tool, Process Modelling for Simulation (PMS) was developed. An evaluation of the SAD technique is then presented through of a number of real and conceptual discrete event systems used to examine the techniques ability to accurately model information along with its ease of use and modelling accuracy. The thesis concludes that more research is required in validating and developing SADs and in developing other techniques in the pre-simulation area

Management techniques - A compilation

Engineering, finance, and personnel management methods and computer techniques for cost reduction and reliability in project plannin