Daniel Rippel

Modeling of orders in autonomously controlled logistic systems

The paper extends the Autonomous Logistics Engineering Methodology (ALEM) by a deeper understanding of immaterial logistic objects to trigger manufacturing processes. Further, a hierarchical modeling concept is introduced to split customer orders logically into partial orders, which run directly at the shop floor level. Each partial order consists of certain manufacturing steps. The amendments enable adequate modeling of autonomous manufacturing processes. The research is a further step to integrate autonomously controlled processes in logistics.

A framework for the quality-oriented design of micro manufacturing process chains

Purpose – In micro cold forming, the high degree of technological dependencies between manufacturing, quality inspection and handling technologies leads to an extremely complex planning of process chains. In addition, the lack of standardised processes and interfaces further complicates the planning. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – In order to provide consistent and comprehensive planning of micro manufacturing processes, this paper discusses a method, which integrates the planning of process flows, the planning of technological dependencies and capabilities, as well as of the corresponding material flow. Findings – The paper presents the micro-process chain planning and analysis (μ-ProPlAn) framework. It consists of a specific modelling method, a simultaneous engineering procedure model for the model creation, as well as of methods for the analysis of technological dependencies and logistic key values along the modelled process chains. Research limitations/implicatio...

Von der Selbststeuerung zu cyber-physischen Systemen

Effiziente und robuste logistische Prozesse sind vor dem Hintergrund dynamischer Markte und zunehmender Komplexitat logistischer Systeme mit herkommlichen Planungs- und Steuerungsmethoden immer schwieriger zu realisieren (Scholz-Reiter et al. Digital enterprises, production networks. Proceedings of the 37th CIRP International Seminar on Manufacturing Systems, Budapest, Hungary, May 19–21. Computer and Automation Research Institute, Budapest, S 357–362, 2004). Dies liegt u. a. an marktorientierten Veranderungstreibern, wie der steigenden Kundenorientierung, einem hohen Individualisierungsgrad der Produkte sowie an sich standig andernden Kundenanforderungen. Diese Veranderungen fuhren unmittelbar zu einer raschen Steigerung der zeitlichen, organisatorischen und systematischen Komplexitat logistischer Systeme (Abele and Reinhart, Zukunft der Produktion. Herausforderungen, Forschungsfelder, Chancen, 2011). Diese Komplexitat erschwert zunehmend die zeitnahe Bereitstellung und Verarbeitung aller entscheidungsrelevanten Informationen fur eine zentrale Planungs- und Steuerungsinstanz.

Supporting non-hierarchical supply chain networks in the electronics industry

The European electronics industry faces a strong competition with far eastern and US manufacturers. They have to respond with improved flexibility to changing requirements and collaborate across the supply chain effectively capitalizing on collaborative decision making. On operational levels a lot of concepts and tools have been implemented, which support automatic information exchange to optimize the supply chains. However, the collaboration on tactical and strategic levels is not supported; especially new forming non-hierarchical networks are concerned. This paper describes the problem analysis as a basis for the project approach and first findings gained from four industrial use cases. The goal of the CONVERGE project is to fill the existing gap regarding collaboration on tactic and strategic level by providing a framework and tools for exchanging tactical and strategic information.

Application of Stochastic Regression for the Configuration of Microrotary Swaging Processes

In micromanufacturing, a precise adjustment of manufacturing, handling, and quality control processes constitutes an essential factor for success. The continuing miniaturization of workpieces and production devices results in ever decreasing tolerances, whereas machines and processes become increasingly more specialized. Thereby, the so-called size effects render the direct application of knowledge from the area of macromanufacturing impossible. In this context, this paper describes the application of the μ-ProPlAn method for the configuration of an infeed rotary swaging process for microcomponents. At this, the cause-effect relationships between relevant process parameters are analyzed using stochastic regression models, in order to determine cost-efficient process configurations for the manufacturing of bulk and tubular microcomponents.

Produktdatenmanagement in interdisziplinären Forschungsvorhaben

Kurzfassung Forschungsvorhaben finden oft über lange Zeiträume und in interdisziplinären Teams unterschiedlicher Institutionen statt. Die Projekte benötigen eine strukturierte Möglichkeit zur Erfassung und Weitergabe des dezentral generierten Wissens. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt Anforderungen an das Wissensmanagement in interdisziplinären Forschungsvorhaben und wie diese durch den kombinierten Einsatz von Produktdatenmanagementund WikiSystemen erfüllt werden können.

Identification of Requirements towards a Business Information Tool

Many companies act in fast developing markets, characterized by a strong global competition and rapidly changing production structures. Continuous development of advanced technologies leads to frequent product changes and to short production runs. Collaboration across the supply chain is one possibility to face these challenges and to stay competitive. Effective collaboration requires an intensive information exchange between supply chain partners. Currently, there are several concepts and tools, automating information exchanges on the operational level. However, collaboration and thus the corresponding information exchange support on the tactical and strategic levels have been neglected so far. The CONVERGE project aims to fill this gap. It develops a framework and tools for exchanging tactical and strategic information between equally powered supply chain partners. This contribution describes the results of a problem analysis, conducted to determine requirements on a suitable business information tool. Several requirements, towards the information exchange itself were identified. Furthermore, the article describes characteristics and deduced profiles, which aim to support the identification of a collaboration’s particular requirements. These characteristics cover a company’s need for information exchange, security and confidentiality as well as its supply chain stability.

Scalability Effects in Modeling Autonomously Controlled Logistic Processes: Challenges and Solutions in Business Process Modeling

Modeling of autonomous logistic processes requires detailed knowledge about logistic systems and about the design principles of autonomous control. The Autonomous Logistic Engineering Methodology incorporates both types of knowledge in varying degree in order to guide logistic process experts through the modeling process. Although the methodology enables modeling of any autonomous logistic process, two important challenges affect the methodology’s scalability in case of large logistic scenarios that consist of several organizational independent companies. This article analyzes both consequential challenges, namely the increase of a system’s complexity and the lack of obtainable information. It presents two logistic scenarios of different scale and discusses the selected challenges in detail. In addition, the article suggests a new type of model visualization and a set of collaboration mechanisms allowing to overcome these challenges.