Physical Internet – a novel application area for Industry 4.0

The Physical Internet (PI or π) is one of the most decisive ideas for future logistics systems. The idea behind it is to implement logistic systems which apply the principles of Internet information flow. Simultaneously technological innovations of Industry 4.0 have also appeared. Our current research deals with the applicability of the tools of Industry 4.0 technology in the PI system. Following the literature review we analyse the individual technological tools that could improve the functioning of PI components. Subsequently we will detail the usability of a specific Industry 4.0 tool and finally determine the future research steps

Developing a New Logistics Based Model and Pilot System for Construction

This paper presents the development of a new construction logistics model with a new point of view: we want to integrate related experiences from the practice of other industries with the specialties of construction logistics processes. It gives a detailed description on the proposed model. Furthermore, the basics of a demonstration physical test system will be described as well.The development introduced in this paper is a part of a Hungarian Government-financed research project (reference no. KTIA_AIK_12-1-2013-0009). The whole budget (c.a. 1.36 Million EUR) of the research is provided by the KTIA fund

COMPARISON OF THREE DIFFERENT METHODS IN THE PREDICTION OF THE MATERIAL FLOW IN A MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM

The damaged barcodes cause problems particularly in production and warehousing, because in many cases their identification with conventional barcode readers is not possible. Here we deal with only a special part of damaged barcode identification. In this paper a prediction system is presented, that analyses the regularities of the material flow. The application of such a system can be an effective help with the reconstruction of the incomplete visual information

Development of an Intelligent Path Planning Method for Materials Handling Machinery at Construction Sites

Construction processes can be implemented in most cases using various sorts of equipment. These can move along various paths, over the construction site from one job to another or during their operation. The proper choice of their path is a basic aspect for the planning of optimal processes. This paper is devoted to this problem. First it surveys some useful methods of path planning from the literature. Then it compares the methods considering construction specialties and finally it presents the developed intelligent system

SOFTWARE STRUCTURE FOR A CAMERA BASED MOBILE ROBOT

Mobil robots are commonly used in various application fields. Military projects, space research, deep-sea research, and various robots at work and at home belong to the most significant applications. Material handling and warehousing are also possible environment. In these applications mobile robots are used as autonomous transporting vehicles. However, cooperative systems are rare. This paper presents a proposed software structure for a cooperatively working, camera based mobile robot for order-picking activities in warehousing. Mobile robot applications require complex software background. The implementation of the free navigation, obstacle avoidance and motion control modules is also presented

Korszerű járműipari megoldások a Fizikai Internet megvalósítására

Az elmúlt években a járműtechnikában és a logisztikában megjelenő új fejlesztések számos területen a megoldások újra gondolását tették lehetővé. Ez még olyan viszonylag új elvek esetén is érvényes, mint a Fizikai Internet (PI), melynek lényege, hogy a logisztikai rendszereken belül az árukat az Internet, mint informatikai hálózat elvei alapján továbbítsák. Cikkünkben azzal foglalkozunk, hogy a Fizikai Internet jelenleg alkalmazott megoldásain túl a legújabb járműipari fejlesztések milyen új lehetőségeket nyitnak ezeknek a rendszereknek a megvalósítására. A cikk első felében a PI jelenlegi megoldásait tekintjük át, második felében a legújabb járműipari fejlesztéseket elemezzük abból a szempontból, hogy ezek milyen előrelépést tesznek lehetővé a PI területén

Simulation support in construction uncertainty management: A production modelling approach

The execution of construction projects such as a highway construction or the elevation of a new bridge is a complex, highly equipment-intensive process and are subject to many different uncertainties. This is very similar to the manufacturing execution level in production systems where predefined productions plans and schedules cannot be completely implemented due to unexpected internal and external changes and disturbances. Following this analogy, the paper proposes the application of a discrete-event simulation based method which was already applied in the decision-support for manufacturing control to develop the decision-support in the execution of a construction project where the effects of the deviation from the short-term schedule can be easily and quickly analyzed

CONCEPTING FREIGHT HOLDING PROBLEMS FOR PLATOONS IN PHYSICAL INTERNET SYSTEMS

For the sustainability of future logistics systems, Physical Internet is one of the most determined idea. Initial solutions and ideas exist, but the development in this area is far from complete. In our opinion, vehicle technology trends such as interconnected, autonomous vehicles and the platooning system are an important opportunity for the development of logistics network. This research aims to investigate how these new types of processes can be modelled using the results of a freight holding problem. The article surveys the possibility of reconfiguration of the platoons in the Physical Internet system by creating a virtual transfer point

Optimization of a physical internet based supply chain using reinforcement learning

Physical Internet based supply chains create open, global logistics systems that enable new types of collaboration among participants. The open system allows the logistical examination of vehicle technology innovations such as the platooning concept. This article explores the multiple platoon collaboration. For the reconfiguration of two platoons a heuristic and a reinforcement learning (RL) based models have been developed. To our knowledge, this work is the first attempt to apply an RL-based decision model to solve the problem of controlling platoon cooperation. Vehicle exchange between platoons is provided by a virtual hub. Depending on the various input parameters, the efficiency of the model was examined through numerical examples in terms of the target function based on the transportation cost. Models using platoon reconfiguration are also compared to the cases where no vehicle exchange is implemented. We have found that a reinforcement learning based model provides a more efficient solution for high incoming vehicle numbers and low dispatch interval, although for low vehicle numbers heuristics model performs better. Document type: Articl

CONCEPTION AN INTELLIGENT NODE ARCHITECTURE FOR INTRALOGISTICS

Intralogistics makes up an important part of the supply chains some call it the ‘heart of the logistics’. Lately the appearance of cyber-physical systems has been caused significant changes in this area, enabling not only a set of interconnected devices, but let new concepts to be implemented. This paper presents a novel control structure between the centralized and decentralized concepts – the so called intelligent node – which opens new possibilities for local control of intralogistics processes. The paper surveys possible connection of the intelligent node to the simulation based digital twin