Integration and Evaluation of Intra-Logistics Processes in Flexible Production Systems Based on OEE Metrics, with the Use of Computer Modelling and Simulation of AGVs

The article presents the problems connected with the performance evaluation of a flexible production system in the context of designing and integrating production and logistics subsystems. The goal of the performed analysis was to determine the parameters that have the most significant influence on the productivity of the whole system. The possibilities of using automated machine tools, automatic transport vehicles, as well as automated storage systems were pointed out. Moreover, the exemplary models are described, and the framework of simulation research related to the conceptual design of new production systems are indicated. In order to evaluate the system’s productivity, the use of Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) metrics was proposed, which is typically used for stationary resources such as machines. This paper aims to prove the hypothesis that the OEE metric can also be used for transport facilities such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). The developed models include the parameters regarding availability and failure of AGVs as well as production efficiency and quality, which allows the more accurate mapping of manufacturing processes. As the result, the Overall Factory Efficiency (OFE) and Overall Transport Efficiency (OTE) metrics were obtained. The obtained outcomes can be directly related to similar production systems that belong to World Class Manufacturing (WCM) or World Class Logistics (WCL), leading to the in-depth planning of such systems and their further improvement in the context of the Industry 4.0

Problems of integration of a manufacturing system with the business area of a company on the example of the Integrated Manufacturing Systems Laboratory

The paper presents issues related to data acquisition and communication between the manufacturing system and the business area of a company, understood as the transmission of real-time information about the status of the production system (the state of equipment, production tasks, workers, the flow of materials, work in progress and products), and, production orders, which is the basis of the Industry 4.0 concept. Data can be acquired from various sensors, PLCs and automatic identification systems, through interfaces (e.g. IO-Link, OPC, MTConnect), providing translation of data between different producer’s equipment and software. The article presents assumptions, concept, interfaces, as well as hardware and software equipment of the Integrated Manufacturing Systems Laboratory, allowing research and teaching of integration of production and business areas. Laboratory workstations equipped with PLCs (3 different producers), sensors (e.g. distance, proximity, colour, position), actuators, HMI panels, hardware interfaces, RFID readers, barcode readers and vision systems, interfacing through OPC, IO-Link or Profinet with SCADA and other IT systems have been presented. An example of systems integration has also been presented

The CAD drawing as a source of data for robot programming purposes – a review

Industrial robots are widely used in mass production, successfully replacing the workers during repetitive tasks. The lack of direct human participation in the production process involves the necessity of programming of the machines, which is mostly the time-consuming process. Most of the operations are well described in the process documentation, but some actions require the use of complicated paths, like for example welding, laser or water cutting, edge grinding, application of liquid sealants or films of paint etc. All of the mentioned activities need the precise movements of robot’s effector and this is - in many cases - connected with the necessity of entering of many points that approximate the path. One of the ways to solve this problem is the possibility of generating the complex path automatically, using the information from the technical documentation. This paper presents such approach that uses the CAD drawings as a data source. The available literature presents this problem mainly in the aspects of large software applications, but this paper was focused on presenting the problems of the proper analysis of the drawing and how to process the data to the form that can be used during robot programming

Problems of integration of a manufacturing system with the business area of a company on the example of the Integrated Manufacturing Systems Laboratory

The paper presents issues related to data acquisition and communication between the manufacturing system and the business area of a company, understood as the transmission of real-time information about the status of the production system (the state of equipment, production tasks, workers, the flow of materials, work in progress and products), and, production orders, which is the basis of the Industry 4.0 concept. Data can be acquired from various sensors, PLCs and automatic identification systems, through interfaces (e.g. IO-Link, OPC, MTConnect), providing translation of data between different producer’s equipment and software. The article presents assumptions, concept, interfaces, as well as hardware and software equipment of the Integrated Manufacturing Systems Laboratory, allowing research and teaching of integration of production and business areas. Laboratory workstations equipped with PLCs (3 different producers), sensors (e.g. distance, proximity, colour, position), actuators, HMI panels, hardware interfaces, RFID readers, barcode readers and vision systems, interfacing through OPC, IO-Link or Profinet with SCADA and other IT systems have been presented. An example of systems integration has also been presented

The CAD drawing as a source of data for robot programming purposes – a review

Industrial robots are widely used in mass production, successfully replacing the workers during repetitive tasks. The lack of direct human participation in the production process involves the necessity of programming of the machines, which is mostly the time-consuming process. Most of the operations are well described in the process documentation, but some actions require the use of complicated paths, like for example welding, laser or water cutting, edge grinding, application of liquid sealants or films of paint etc. All of the mentioned activities need the precise movements of robot’s effector and this is - in many cases - connected with the necessity of entering of many points that approximate the path. One of the ways to solve this problem is the possibility of generating the complex path automatically, using the information from the technical documentation. This paper presents such approach that uses the CAD drawings as a data source. The available literature presents this problem mainly in the aspects of large software applications, but this paper was focused on presenting the problems of the proper analysis of the drawing and how to process the data to the form that can be used during robot programming