Micromechanics as a testbed for artificial intelligence methods evaluation

Some of the artificial intelligence (AI) methods could be used to improve the performance of automation systems in manufacturing processes. However, the application of these methods in the industry is not widespread because of the high cost of the experiments with the AI systems applied to the conventional manufacturing systems. To reduce the cost of such experiments, we have developed a special micromechanical equipment, similar to conventional mechanical equipment, but of a lot smaller overall sizes and therefore of lower cost. This equipment can be used for evaluation of different AI methods in an easy and inexpensive way. The methods that show good results can be transferred to the industry through appropriate scaling. This paper contains brief description of low cost microequipment prototypes and some AI methods that can be evaluated with mentioned prototypes.Applications in Artificial Intelligence - ApplicationsRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Micromechanics as a testbed for artificial intelligence methods evaluation

Some of the artificial intelligence (AI) methods could be used to improve the performance of automation systems in manufacturing processes. However, the application of these methods in the industry is not widespread because of the high cost of the experiments with the AI systems applied to the conventional manufacturing systems. To reduce the cost of such experiments, we have developed a special micromechanical equipment, similar to conventional mechanical equipment, but of a lot smaller overall sizes and therefore of lower cost. This equipment can be used for evaluation of different AI methods in an easy and inexpensive way. The methods that show good results can be transferred to the industry through appropriate scaling. This paper contains brief description of low cost microequipment prototypes and some AI methods that can be evaluated with mentioned prototypes.Applications in Artificial Intelligence - ApplicationsRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Esquema metodológico para el control del sistema de tráfico vehicular con atributos de cooperación, flexibilidad y autonomía, usando redes de Petri Coloreadas Difusas Adaptativas

Para el modelado de un sistema de tráfico vehicular controlado por semaforización, se preestablecen, a través de un experto, varios parámetros: geometría, tiempos óptimos para el cambio semafórico y características físicas para obtener finalmente un controlador a la medida de cada intersección. Puesto que estos parámetros son fijos, y el cambio en el flujo vehicular es constante, el embotellamiento se hace inminente en una u ambas vías de la intersección. Debido a esto, se han generado investigaciones en controles que aprenden y adaptan su comportamiento dependiendo de la demanda, pero no consideran el tiempo de espera de los usuarios mientras los controles actúan; ni una metodología de manera gráfica que pueda modelar parámetros para diferentes geometrías de manera modular. Esta tesis establece un método aplicado para modelar el sistema de tráfico vehicular, como un sistema de eventos discretos, por medio de las Redes de Petri Continuas y controlado por una Red de Petri Coloreada Difusa Adaptativa, que le da características de flexibilidad de programación, dada su estructura modular; cooperación entre vías de la intersección; y autonomía de las vías, sin importar la geometría y aprendizaje, por medio de la implementación de un modelo Mamdani, basado en un Sistema Adaptativo de Inferencia Neuro-Difuso (M-ANFIS) con conjuntos gaussianos. Este nuevo enfoque entrega resultados de estabilidad de flujo vehicular, considerando el tiempo de espera para todas las vías de la intersección, comparada con un sistema tradicional controlado por parámetros, y obteniendo aumentos de flujo del 58% en la vía más congestionada con solo dos intervenciones del controladorIn order to model a traffic system that is controlled by traffic lights, several parameters are predefined with the help of an expert, such as geometry, optimal timing of traffic light switching and physical characteristics to obtain a controller adapted to each crossroads. Due to the fact that these parameters are fixed and that the flow of traffic changes constantly, traffic jams are imminent in one or both roads of the intersectionMagister en Automatización y Contro

The evaluation of a novel haptic machining VR-based process planning system using an original process planning usability method

This thesis provides an original piece of work and contribution to knowledge by creating a new process planning system; Haptic Aided Process Planning (HAPP). This system is based on the combination of haptics and virtual reality (VR). HAPP creates a simulative machining environment where Process plans are automatically generated from the real time logging of a user’s interaction. Further, through the application of a novel usability test methodology, a deeper study of how this approach compares to conventional process planning was undertaken. An abductive research approach was selected and an iterative and incremental development methodology chosen. Three development cycles were undertaken with evaluation studies carried out at the end of each. Each study, the pre-pilot, pilot and industrial, identified progressive refinements to both the usability of HAPP and the usability evaluation method itself. HAPP provided process planners with an environment similar to which they are already familiar. Visual images were used to represent tools and material whilst a haptic interface enabled their movement and positioning by an operator in a manner comparable to their native setting. In this way an intuitive interface was developed that allowed users to plan the machining of parts consisting of features that can be machined on a pillar drill, 21/2D axis milling machine or centre lathe. The planning activities included single or multiple set ups, fixturing and sequencing of cutting operations. The logged information was parsed and output to a process plan including route sheets, operation sheets, tool lists and costing information, in a human readable format. The system evaluation revealed that HAPP, from an expert planners perspective is perceived to be 70% more satisfying to use, 66% more efficient in completing process plans, primarily due to the reduced cognitive load, is more effective producing a higher quality output of information and is 20% more learnable than a traditional process planning approach

A meta-language for systems architecting

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2005.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-168).(cont.) To demonstrate its practical value in large-scale engineering systems, the research applied OPN to two space exploration programs and one aircraft design problem. In our experiments, OPN was able to significantly change the modeling and architectural reasoning process by automating a number of manual model construction, manipulation, and simulation tasks.The aim of this research is to design an executable meta-language that supports system architects' modeling process by automating certain model construction, manipulation and simulation tasks. This language specifically addresses the needs in systematically communicating architects' intent with a wide range of stakeholders and to organize knowledge from various domains. Our investigation into existing architecting approaches and technologies has pointed out the need to develop a simple and intuitive, yet formal language, that expresses multiple layers of abstractions, provides reflexive knowledge about the models, mechanizes data exchange and manipulation, while allowing integration with legacy infrastructures. A small set of linguistic primitives, stateful objects and processes that transform them were identified as both required and sufficient building blocks of the meta-language, specified as an Object-Process Network (OPN). To demonstrate the applicability of OPN, a software environment has been developed and applied to define meta-models of large-scale complex system architectures such as space transportation systems. OPN provides three supporting aspects of architectural modeling. As a declarative language, OPN provides a diagrammatic formal language to help architects specify the space of architectural options. As an imperative language, OPN automates the process of creating architectural option instances and computes associated performance metrics for those instances. As a simulation language, OPN uses a function-algebraic model to subsume and compose discrete, continuous, and probabilistic events within one unified execution engine.by Hsueh-Yung Benjamin Koo.Ph.D

Fifth Workshop and Tutorial on Practical Use of Coloured Petri Nets and the CPN Tools Aarhus, Denmark, October 8-11, 2004

This booklet contains the proceedings of the Fifth Workshop on Practical Use of Coloured Petri Nets and the CPN Tools, October 8-11, 2004. The workshop is organised by the CPN group at the Department of Computer Science, University of Aarhus, Denmark. The papers are also available in electronic form via the web pages: http://www.daimi.au.dk/CPnets/workshop0