A service-oriented approach to embedded component-based manufacturing automation

This thesis is focused on the application of Component-Based (CB) technology to shop oor devices using a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Web Services (WS) for the purpose of realising future generation agile manufacturing systems. The environment of manufacturing enterprises is now characterised by frequently changing market demands, time-to-market pressure, continuously emerging new technologies and global competition. Under these circumstances, manufacturing systems need to be agile and automation systems need to support this agility. More speci cally, an open, exible automation environment with plug and play connectivity is needed. Technically, this requires the easy connectivity of hardware devices and software components from di erent vendors. Functionally, there is a need of interoperability and integration of control functions on di erent hierarchical levels ranging from eld level to various higher level applications such as process control and operations management services. [Continues.

Towards industrial internet of things: crankshaft monitoring, traceability and tracking using RFID

The large number of requirements and opportunities for automatic identification in manufacturing domains such as automotive and electronics has accelerated the demand for item-level tracking using radio-frequency identification technology. End-users are interested in implementing automatic identification systems, which are capable of ensuring full component process history, traceability and tracking preventing costly downtime to rectify processing defects and product recalls. The research outlined in this paper investigates the feasibility of implementing an RFID system for the manufacturing and assembly of crankshafts. The proposed solution involves the attachment of bolts with embedded RFID functionality by fitting a reader antenna reader to an overhead gantry that spans the production line and reads and writes production data to the tags. The manufacturing, assembly and service data captured through RFID tags and stored on a local server, could further be integrated with higher-level business applications facilitating seamless integration within the factory

An intelligent real-time cyber-physical toolset for energy and process prediction and optimisation in the future industrial Internet of Things

Energy waste significantly contributes to increased costs in the automotive manufacturing industry, which is subject to energy usage restrictions and taxation from national and international policy makers and restrictions and charges from national energy providers. For example, the UK Climate Change Levy, charged to businesses at 0.554p/kWh equates to 7.28% of a manufacturing business’s energy bill based on an average total usage rate of 7.61p/kWh. Internet of Things (IoT) energy monitoring systems are being developed, however, there has been limited consideration of services for efficient energy-use and minimisation of production costs in industry. This paper presents the design, development and validation of a novel, adaptive Cyber-Physical Toolset to optimise cumulative plant energy consumption through characterisation and prediction of the active and reactive power of three-phase industrial machine processes. Extensive validation has been conducted in automotive manufacture production lines with industrial three-phase Hurco VM1 computer numerical control (CNC) machines

Design and performance of a flexible metal mountable UHF RFID tag

The large number of requirements and opportunities for automatic identification in manufacturing domains such as automotive and electronics has accelerated the demand for item-level tracking using Radio Frequency IDentification technology (RFID). End-users are interested in solutions that enable a range of objects to be identified without changing the structure of the objects. Designing an RFID tag, which can be mounted successfully on metallic objects and meets the end-user requirement is a major research challenge. The aim of the research outlined in this paper is to determine the effects of the harsh manufacturing environments in which RFID tags are used and compare the performance of a range of RFID tag substrates that can be used to isolate the RFID tag antenna from metallic objects. The goal is to determine which substrates allow RFID tags to operate efficiently when attached to metallic, lossy or dielectric objects whilst being low cost, high performance, flexible and in some cases reusable solutions. A flexible RFID tag with a substrate consisting of an elastomer / polymer has been investigated as a part of this research. Additionally, paper and PET substrates integrated with a number of different conductive inks, have also been investigated as potential optimal solutions for the high volume manufacture of UHF RFID tags suitable for metal objects. The research details the design and evaluation of performance of number of RFID tags when applied to tracking of automotive assets and components such as stillages throughout their manufacturing, assembly and the supply chain

Spin Inversion Phenomenon and Two-State Reactivity Mechanism for Direct Benzene Hydroxylation by V₄O₁₀ Cluster

The direct and selective introduction of hydroxyl group into aromatic compounds remains one of the challenging problems in oxidation chemistry. Keeping in view the reported reactivity of vanadium oxide in C–H activation of saturated hydrocarbons, the study explores the reactivity of neutral V₄O₁₀ cluster with benzene through rigorous computations performed within the formalism of density functional theory. Three possible reaction channels for the reactivity of V₄O₁₀ cluster with benzene have been deciphered, and comprehensive understanding of all possible mechanistic pathways has been obtained by analysis of all the intermediates and transition states encountered en route. The study provides promising evidence of direct abstraction of hydrogen by terminal oxygen of the cluster via three-centered transition state. The scan of potential energy surfaces for the reactivity of the cluster in its ground (singlet) and first excited (triplet) spin multiplicity states establishes two-state reactivity mechanisms. The spin crossover point has been identified through geometric and thermodynamic parameters, partial charges, and intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations. The study establishes the efficacy of V₄O₁₀ cluster species in direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol

Genome-wide analysis of transcription factors during somatic embryogenesis in banana (<i>Musa</i> spp.) cv. Grand Naine

<div><p>Transcription factors <i>BABY BOOM (BBM)</i>, <i>WUSCHEL (WUS)</i>, <i>BSD</i>, <i>LEAFY COTYLEDON (LEC)</i>, <i>LEAFY COTYLEDON LIKE (LIL)</i>, <i>VIVIPAROUS1 (VP1)</i>, <i>CUP SHAPED COTYLEDONS (CUC)</i>, <i>BOLITA (BOL)</i>, and <i>AGAMOUS LIKE (AGL)</i> play a crucial role in somatic embryogenesis. In this study, we identified eighteen genes of these nine transcription factors families from the banana genome database. All genes were analyzed for their structural features, subcellular, and chromosomal localization. Protein sequence analysis indicated the presence of characteristic conserved domains in these transcription factors. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close evolutionary relationship among most transcription factors of various monocots. The expression patterns of eighteen genes in embryogenic callus containing somatic embryos (precisely isolated by Laser Capture Microdissection), non-embryogenic callus, and cell suspension cultures of banana cultivar Grand Naine were analyzed. The application of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) in the callus induction medium enhanced the expression of <i>MaBBM1</i>, <i>MaBBM2</i>, <i>MaWUS2</i>, and <i>MaVP1</i> in the embryogenic callus. It suggested 2, 4-D acts as an inducer for the expression of these genes. The higher expression of <i>MaBBM2</i> and <i>MaWUS2</i> in embryogenic cell suspension (ECS) as compared to non-embryogenic cells suspension (NECS), suggested that these genes may play a crucial role in banana somatic embryogenesis. <i>MaVP1</i> showed higher expression in both ECS and NECS, whereas <i>MaLEC2</i> expression was significantly higher in NECS. It suggests that <i>MaLEC2</i> has a role in the development of non-embryogenic cells. We postulate that <i>MaBBM2</i> and <i>MaWUS2</i> can be served as promising molecular markers for the embryogencity in banana.</p></div

Structural features of SE related transcription factors in <i>Musa acuminata</i>.

<p>Structural features of SE related transcription factors in <i>Musa acuminata</i>.</p

Localization of transcription factors and genes on banana chromosomes.

<p>The black vertical lines on the chromosomes indicate the positions of the respective genes. Numbers represent nucleotide base pair positions with the name of the respective gene.</p

The phylogenetic trees of transcription factors are showing clustering of sequences with different taxonomic groups of plants.

<p>(A) Integration of BBM TFs within AP2/ERF family members from the different taxonomic group of plants. (B) Integration of WUS TFs with other WOX gene family members from the different taxonomic group of plants. (C) Integration of BSD TFs with its other family members from the different taxonomic group of plants. (D) Integration of LEC/L1L TFs with other CBF family members from the different taxonomic group of plants. (E) Integration of VP1 TFs with its other homologs (ARF family) from a different taxonomic group of plants. (F) Integration of CUC TFs within NAC family members from the different taxonomic group of plants. (G) Integration of BOL TFs with its other homologs (BOL A family) from a different taxonomic group of plants. (H) Integration of AGL TFs with its other homologs (MADS family) from a different taxonomic group of plants.</p

Representative image of LCM-derived tissue for RNA isolation.

<p>(A) Iodine-stained embryogenic cells for LCM. (B) Somatic embryo before LCM-derived tissue extraction. (C) Somatic embryo after embryogenic cells snipped off.</p