A computer-based product classification and component detection for demanufacturing processes

This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 24(10), 900-914, 2011 [copyright Taylor & Francis], available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/0951192X.2011.579169.The aim of this paper is to propose a novel computer-based product classification, component detection and tracking for demanufacturing and disassembly process. This is achieved by introducing a series of automated and sequential product scanning, component identification, image analysis and sorting – leading to the development of a bill of material (BOM). The produced BOM can then be associated with the relevant disassembly/demanufacture proviso. The proposed integrated image sorting and product classification (ISPC) approach can be considered as a step forward in automation of demanufacturing activities. The ISPC model proposed in this paper utilises and builds on the state-of-the-art technology and current body of research in computer-integrated demanufacturing and remanufacturing (CIDR). An appraisal of the latest research material and the factors that inhibit CIDR methods inpractice are presented. A novel solution for the integration of imaging and material identification techniques toovercome some of the existing shortcomings of automated recycling processes is proposed in this paper. The proposed product scanning and component detection ISPC software consists of four distinct models: the repertory database, the search engine, the product-attributes updater and the image sorting and classification algorithm. The software framework that integrates the four components is presented in this paper. Finally, an overall assessment of applying ISPC at various stages of CIDR processes concludes the article.University of Ibadan MacArthur Foundation Gran

Minimum game plans : eco-design and low-tech fabrication in studios

This paper looks at eco-design and low-tech fabrication in studio

Intelligent systems in manufacturing: current developments and future prospects

Global competition and rapidly changing customer requirements are demanding increasing changes in manufacturing environments. Enterprises are required to constantly redesign their products and continuously reconfigure their manufacturing systems. Traditional approaches to manufacturing systems do not fully satisfy this new situation. Many authors have proposed that artificial intelligence will bring the flexibility and efficiency needed by manufacturing systems. This paper is a review of artificial intelligence techniques used in manufacturing systems. The paper first defines the components of a simplified intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS), the different Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to be considered and then shows how these AI techniques are used for the components of IMS

ICOPER Project - Deliverable 4.3 ISURE: Recommendations for extending effective reuse, embodied in the ICOPER CD&R

The purpose of this document is to capture the ideas and recommendations, within and beyond the ICOPER community, concerning the reuse of learning content, including appropriate methodologies as well as established strategies for remixing and repurposing reusable resources. The overall remit of this work focuses on describing the key issues that are related to extending effective reuse embodied in such materials. The objective of this investigation, is to support the reuse of learning content whilst considering how it could be originally created and then adapted with that ‘reuse’ in mind. In these circumstances a survey on effective reuse best practices can often provide an insight into the main challenges and benefits involved in the process of creating, remixing and repurposing what we are now designating as Reusable Learning Content (RLC). Several key issues are analysed in this report: Recommendations for extending effective reuse, building upon those described in the previous related deliverables 4.1 Content Development Methodologies and 4.2 Quality Control and Web 2.0 technologies. The findings of this current survey, however, provide further recommendations and strategies for using and developing this reusable learning content. In the spirit of ‘reuse’, this work also aims to serve as a foundation for the many different stakeholders and users within, and beyond, the ICOPER community who are interested in reusing learning resources. This report analyses a variety of information. Evidence has been gathered from a qualitative survey that has focused on the technical and pedagogical recommendations suggested by a Special Interest Group (SIG) on the most innovative practices with respect to new media content authors (for content authoring or modification) and course designers (for unit creation). This extended community includes a wider collection of OER specialists. This collected evidence, in the form of video and audio interviews, has also been represented as multimedia assets potentially helpful for learning and useful as learning content in the New Media Space (See section 4 for further details). Section 2 of this report introduces the concept of reusable learning content and reusability. Section 3 discusses an application created by the ICOPER community to enhance the opportunities for developing reusable content. Section 4 of this report provides an overview of the methodology used for the qualitative survey. Section 5 presents a summary of thematic findings. Section 6 highlights a list of recommendations for effective reuse of educational content, which were derived from thematic analysis described in Appendix A. Finally, section 7 summarises the key outcomes of this work

AI and OR in management of operations: history and trends

The last decade has seen a considerable growth in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for operations management with the aim of finding solutions to problems that are increasing in complexity and scale. This paper begins by setting the context for the survey through a historical perspective of OR and AI. An extensive survey of applications of AI techniques for operations management, covering a total of over 1200 papers published from 1995 to 2004 is then presented. The survey utilizes Elsevier's ScienceDirect database as a source. Hence, the survey may not cover all the relevant journals but includes a sufficiently wide range of publications to make it representative of the research in the field. The papers are categorized into four areas of operations management: (a) design, (b) scheduling, (c) process planning and control and (d) quality, maintenance and fault diagnosis. Each of the four areas is categorized in terms of the AI techniques used: genetic algorithms, case-based reasoning, knowledge-based systems, fuzzy logic and hybrid techniques. The trends over the last decade are identified, discussed with respect to expected trends and directions for future work suggested

Developing modular product family using GeMoCURE within an SME

Companies adopt the strategy of producing variety of products to be competitive and responsive to market. Product variation is becoming an important factor in companies' ability to accurately meet customer requirements. Ever increasing consumer options mean that customers have more choices than ever before which put commercial pressures on companies to continue to diversify. This can be a particular problem within Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who do not always have the level of resources to meet these requirements. As such, methods are required that provide means for companies to be able to produce a wide range of products at the lowest cost and shortest time. This paper details a new modular product design methodology that provides a focus on developing modular product families. The methodology's function is described and a case study detailed of how it was used within an SME to define the company's product portfolio and create a new Generic Product Function Structure from which a new family of product variants can be developed. The methodology lends itself to modular re-use which has the potential to support rapid development and configuration of product variants

Ekologiczny łańcuch dostaw: narzędzia do oceny E-odpadów – globalna perspektywa

When a company's supply chain has achieved a desirable degree of eco-friendliness in all regards, from a sustainability perspective, its performance will be satisfactory. Since the closed-loop e-waste supply chain's operations are primarily focused on achieving sustainability objectives related to the manufacturing, distribution, reusing, and discarding electrical components, it is crucial to evaluate its success in this area. In order to monitor the performance of supply chains and enhance the processes, the supply chain operations reference model offers suggestions and benchmarking tools. In this study, a conceptual framework is illustrated to show how these standards could be used in the E-waste supply chain to link business processes, metrics, industry standards, and technology in order to enhance the relationship and coordination between the supply chain members and to increase sustainability throughout the supply chain. Insufficient attention so far has been paid to the SCOR model's sustainability criteria, according to an assessment of the literature. Consequently, in the wake of portraying the structure of Supply Chain Operation Reference model, we make sense of which credits should be included in Supply Chain Operation Reference so to reflect manageability and which cycles and practices are related with every standard or should be remembered for Supply Chain Operation Reference to lay out the connection between execution, cycles, and practices.Kiedy łańcuch dostaw firmy osiągnie pożądany stopień przyjazności dla środowiska pod każdym względem, z punktu widzenia zrównoważonego rozwoju, jego wyniki będą zadowalające. Ponieważ operacje łańcucha dostaw E-odpadów w obiegu zamkniętym koncentrują się przede wszystkim na osiąganiu celów zrównoważonego rozwoju związanych z produkcją, dystrybucją, ponownym użyciem i utylizacją komponentów elektrycznych, kluczowe znaczenie ma ocena jego sukcesu w tej dziedzinie. Aby monitorować wydajność łańcuchów dostaw i ulepszać procesy, model referencyjny operacji łańcucha dostaw oferuje sugestie i narzędzia do analizy porównawczej. W tym badaniu nakreślono ramy koncepcyjne, aby pokazać, w jaki sposób standardy te można wykorzystać w łańcuchu dostaw elektrośmieci w powiązaniu z procesami biznesowymi, wskaźnikami, standardami branżowymi i technologią w celu wzmocnienia relacji i koordynacji między członkami łańcucha dostaw i aby zwiększyć poziom zrównoważonego rozwoju w całym łańcuchu dostaw. Jak dotąd, co potwierdza dokonany przegląd literatury, kryteria zrównoważonego rozwoju modelu SCOR nie poświęcano wystarczającej uwagi. W związku z tym, po przedstawieniu struktury Modelu referencyjnego operacji łańcucha dostaw, rozumiemy, które kredyty powinny zostać uwzględnione w referencyjnej operacji łańcucha dostaw, aby odzwierciedlić łatwość zarządzania oraz które cykle i praktyki są związane z każdym standardem lub należy o nich pamiętać w odniesieniu do łańcucha dostaw, co umożliwia ukazanie związku pomiędzy wykonaniem, cyklami i praktykami

New Product development in a platform-driven organization : Towards platform lifecycle management

Platform product development is now widely used to tackle the cost-variety dilemma. In this work, we questioned the planning hypothesis underlying most of the research on platform design. Using an inductive methodology, we analyzed the first phase of a product development belonging to the second generation of a product based on an existing platform. This led to three results. We pointed out the existence of platform design principles. We also brought up how a design based on an existing platform modifies the traditional V-model, which structures the design process organization. Eventually we outlined the question of the platform renewal and its impact on platform's architecture and flexibility.gestion projet;Conception;Gestion des plateformes;Industrie automobile

Closed Loop Supply Chain: Evaluating Ecological Footprint

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