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Thesis (M. Tech. (Information Technology)) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2013 / Markets for manufactured products are characterized by a fragmentation of the market (with regards to size and time), and by shorter product cycles. This is due to the occurrence of mass customization and globalization. In mass customization, the same basic products are manufactured for a broad market, but then consumers are given the liberty to choose the “finishing touches” that go with the product. The areas that manufacturers now compete for are higher quality products, low cost and timely response to market changes. Appropriate business strategies and manufacturing technologies must thus be used to implement these strategic dimensions. The paradigm of Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS) has been introduced to respond to this new market oriented manufacturing environment. The design of RMS allows ease of reconfiguration as it has a modular structure in terms of software and hardware. This allows ease of reconfiguration as a strategy to adapt to changing market demands. Modularity will allow the ability to integrate/remove software/hardware modules without affecting the rest of the system. RMS can therefore be quickly reconfigured according to the production requirements of new models, it can be quickly adjusted to exact capacity requirements as the market grows and products change, and it is able to integrate new technology. In this research project, real-time, open controller is designed and developed for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Tools (RMTs). RMTs are the basic building blocks for RMS. Real time and openness of the controllers for RMT would allow firstly, for the modular design of RMTs (so that RMTs can be adapted easily for changing product demands) and secondly, prompt control of RMT for diagnosability.

Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work considers the control of reconfigurable assembly systems using a welding assembly system as a case study. The assembly system consists of a pallet magazine, a feeding system, an inspection and removal system, a welding system and a conveyor. The aim of the work is to compare PC and PLC as controllers, as well as to compare two different approaches to reconfigurable control. The control system of the pallet magazine was developed using a PC and a PLC. The PC control was programmed using Visual C#, while the PLC was programmed in Ladder Logic using Siemens S-300 STEP7. The two controllers were compared based on the attributes that measure the quality of a controller's software, which include its capability, availability, usability and adaptability. The approaches to reconfigurable control considered were the agent-based methodology and the IEC 61499 distributed control methodology, both of which were applied to the feeding system. The agent-based control system was implemented using the JADE agent platform, while the IEC 61499 distributed control system was implemented using the FBDK software kit. These two methods were compared based on the characteristics of a reconfigurable system, which include the system's modularity, integrability, convertibility, diagnosability, customization and scalability. The result obtained in comparing the PC to the PLC shows that the PLC performs better in terms of capability, availability and usability, while the PC performs better in terms of adaptability. Also, the result of the comparison between the agent-based control system and the IEC 61499 distributed control system shows that the agent-based control system performs better in terms of integrability, diagnosability and scalability, while the IEC 61499 distributed control system performs better in terms of modularity and customization. They are, however, on a par in terms of convertibility. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werk beskou die beheer van herkonfigureerbare monteringstelsels met 'n sweismonteringstelsel as gevallestudie. Die monteringstelsel bestaan uit 'n paletmagasyn, 'n voerstelsel, 'n inspeksie-en- verwyderingstelsel, 'n sweisstelsel en 'n voerband. Die mikpunt van die werk is om persoonlike rekenaars (PCs) en programmeerbare-logikabeheerders (PLCs) as beheerders te vergelyk, asook om twee verskillende benaderings tot herkonfigureerbare beheer te vergelyk. Die beheerstelsel van die paletmagasyn is ontwikkel met 'n PC en 'n PLC. Die PC-beheer is in Visual C# geprogrammeer, terwyl die PLC in leerlogika met Siemens S-300 STEP7 geprogrammeer is. Die twee beheerders is vergelyk in terme van die eienskappe wat die kwaliteit van 'n beheerder se sagteware meet en sluit in vermoë, beskikbaarheid, bruikbaarheid en aanpasbaarheid. Die benaderings tot herkonfigureerbare beheer wat oorweeg is, is die agent-gebaseerde metodologie en die IEC 61499 verspreide-beheermetodologie. Beide is op die voerstelsel toegepas. Die agent-gebaseerde beheerstelsel is geïmplementeer met behulp van die JADE agent-platform, terwyl die IEC 61499 verspreide stelsel geïmplementeer is met behulp van die FBDK sagteware-stel. Hierdie twee metodes se vergelyking is gebaseer op die eienskappe van 'n herkonfigureerbare stelsel, waarby die stelsel se modulariteit, integreerbaarheid, diagnoseerbaarheid, pasmaakbaarheid en skaleerbaarheid ingesluit is. Die resultate wat in die vergelyking tussen die PC en PLC verkry is, toon dat die PLC beter vaar in terme van vermoë, beskikbaarheid en bruikbaarheid, terwyl die PC beter vaar in terme van aanpasbaarheid. Die resultaat van die vergelyking tussen die agent-gebaseerde beheerstelsel en die IEC 61499 verspreide beheerstelsel wys dat die agent-gebaseerde beheerstelsel beter vaar in terme van integreerbaarheid, diagnoseerbaarheid en skaleerbaarheid, terwyl die IEC 61499 verspreide beheerstelsel beter vaar in terme van modulariteit en pasmaakbaarheid. Hulle is egter vergelykbaar in terme van omskepbaarheid.

"Fixtures form an important factor in traditional and modern flexible manufacturing systems, since fixture design directly affects manufacturing quality and productivity. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate quality of fixture design. The fixturing accessibility refers to machining feature accessibility and loading /unloading accessibility. The development of Computer Aided Fixture Design (CAFD) has simplified this task. Fixture design activities include setup planning, fixture planning and fixture configuration design. Fixture design verification comes next. Fixturing accessibility using Computer Aided Fixture Design is part of the verification process and has not received much attention till date. Machining feature accessibility analysis involves the evaluation of possible interference between fixture components and the cutting tool, which moves with pre-programmed tool path, while the loading and unloading accessibility relates to the ease with which the operator attaches/detaches the workpiece from the surrounding manufacturing environment. This research has three main focuses. The first focus is to evaluate machining feature accessibility, by integrating fixture designs in SolidWorks and the NC programming in Esprit. The main goals are evaluation of fixture design for any kind of interference between tool/workpiece/fixtures and enable Esprit to indicate interference, if any. The next step is to modify the fixture design accordingly and thus, finally obtain an interference free fixture design by reiteration. The second and third focuses deal with analysis of loading and unloading accessibility. A simulation based approach is applied to evaluate loading/unloading paths for different workpiece-fixture setups and checking interference in a dynamic mode. Then the third focus is to develop analysis method and criteria of comparisons of fixturing accessibility in different fixture designs. Thus, this research establishes methods of analysis for accessibilities in fixture design. Also, the guidelines for good fixture design will prove to be of great use to both, the beginners as well as the experienced fixture designers in this field. "

With the rise of automation in traditional manufacturing processes, more companies are beginning to integrate computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) cells on their production floors. Through CIM cell integration, companies have the ability to reduce process time and increase production. One of the problems created with CIM cell automation is caused by the dependency the sequential steps have on one another. Dependency created by the previous step increases the probability that a process error could occur due to previous variation. One way to eliminate this dependency is through the use of an in-process measuring device such as a Renishaw spindle probe used in conjunction with a computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine. Western Kentucky University (WKU) utilizes a CIM cell in the Senator Mitch McConnell Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics laboratory. The laboratory is located in the Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences department and gives students the opportunity to learn how automated systems can be integrated. The CIM cell consists of three Mitsubishi six-axis robots, a Haas Mini-mill, a Haas GT-10 lathe, an AXYZ, Inc. CNC router table, 120 watt laser engraver, an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), material handling conveyor, and vision station. The CIM cell functions throughout the curriculum as a means for applied learning and research. The researcher used this CIM cell in order to determine if an in-process measuring device, such as the Renishaw spindle probe, had the ability to affect process capability. The researcher conducted the study to see if an in-process measuring device can be integrated into the CIM cell located in the Senator Mitch McConnell Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics laboratory to eliminate compounding variation. The researcher discovered that through the use of a Renishaw 40-2 spindle probe used in conjunction with a CNC Haas Mini Mill, process capability has the potential to be improved in a CIM cell by accounting for compounding variation present in the process.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Artificial intelligence has provided several techniques with applications in manufacturing. Knowledge based systems, neural networks, case based reasoning, genetic algorithms and fuzzy logic have been successfully employed in manufacturing. This thesis will provide the reader with an introduction and an understanding of each of these techniques (Chapter 2 & 3). The intelligent manufacturing process can be a complex one and can be decomposed into several components: intelligent design, intelligent process planning, intelligent quality management, intelligent maintenance and diagnosis, intelligent scheduling and intelligent control. This thesis will focus on how each of the artificial intelligence techniques can be applied to each of the manufacturing process fields. Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Knowledge based systems Neural networks Fuzzy logic Case based reasoning Genetic algorithms Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Manufacturing intelligence can be approached from two main directions: theoretical research and practical application. Most of the concepts, methods and techniques discussed in this thesis are approached from a theoretical research point of view. This thesis is also aimed at providing the reader with a broader picture of manufacturing intelligence and how to apply the intelligent techniques, in theory. Specific attention will be given to intelligent scheduling as an application (Chapter 11). The application will demonstrate how case based reasoning can be applied in intelligent scheduling within a small manufacturing plant. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kunsmatige intelligensie bied 'n verskeidenheid tegnieke en toepassings in die vervaardigingsomgewing. Kennis baseerde sisteme, neurale netwerke, gevalle basseerde redenasie, generiese algoritmes en wasige logika word suksesvol in die vervaardigingsopset toegepas. Dié tesis gee die leser 'n inleiding en basiese oorsig van metodes om elk van die tegnieke te gebruik (hoofstuk 2 & 3). Die intelligente vervaardigingproses is 'n komplekse proses en kan afgebreek word in verskeie komponente: intelligente ontwerp, intelligente prosesbeplanning, intelligente gehaltebestuur, intelligente onderhoud en diagnose, intelligente kontrole en intelligente skedulering. Hierdie tesis sal fokus op hoe elk van die kunsmatige intelligente tegnieke op elk van die vervaardigingprosesvelde toegepas kan word. Hoofstuk 5 Hoofstuk 6 Hoofstuk 7 Kennis gebaseerde sisteme Wasige logika Neurale netwerke Gevalle baseerde redenasie Generiese algoritmes Hoofstuk 8 Hoofstuk 9 Hoofstuk 10 Vervaardigingsintelligensie kan vanuit twee oogpunte benader word, naamlik 'n teoretiese ondersoek en 'n praktiese aanslag. Die meeste van hierdie konsepte, metodes en tegnieke word in hierdie tesis vanuit 'n teoretiese oogpunt benader. Die tesis is daarop gerig om die leser 'n wyer perspektief te gee van intelligente vervaardiging en hoe om die intelligente tegnieke, in teorie, toe te pas. Spesifieke aandag sal gegee word aan intelligente skedulering as 'n toepassing (Hookstuk 11). Die toepassing sal demonstreer hoe gevalle baseerde redenasie toegepas kan word in intelligente skedulering.

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This report discusses in great detail the various research, design, and development stages of the Produce Sorting Microcomputer developed for HAGAN ENGINEERING Inc. The two-semester Clinical Research project has been approved by the graduate committee at the School of Engineering at the University of the Pacific and fulfills the requirements towards a Master Degree in Electrical Engineering. The project was selected based on its complexity, feasibility, the time span it required to complete, and its relevance to the area of real time microcomputer design. In addition, the design constraints and specifications were to be dictated solely by HAGAN ENGINEERING Inc. and all further modifications were to be discussed and approved by HAGAN. These limitations created a professional industry-like atmosphere, which is one of the goals of the Clinical Research Program. A brief User's Manual will accompany the MC68000 board; it will contain all the vital information about the system that a programmer or a technician might need to understand the system. The manual wall contain the complete circuit schematic, a parts list, general design features, and all the software properties of the system (memory map, interrupt tables register map).

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