Daniel Semere

Evolvable assembly systems: coping with variations through evolution

Purpose – The main features of evolvable systems include distributed control, a modularized, intelligent and open architecture, a comprehensive and multi-dimensional methodological support that com ...

An Engineering Systems Perspective on System of Systems Methodology

Traditional methodologies for system design and development have proven insufficient when it comes to very large and distributed systems. As a consequence, research on complex socio-technical systems i.e. System-of-Systems [SoS], has evolved, At the same time, researchers of complex systems that are not SoS have started to pay attention to the tools and methods developed within the area of SoS. The purpose of this paper is therefore twofold: (1) to improve the understanding of SoS and SoS methods from a non-SoS point of view, by presenting SoS definitions, properties and behavior of SoS, and (2) to analyze current non-SoS development methodologies to test their applicability in a SoS environment. Finally a metric for the well-being of a SoS is introduced.

Evolvable Assembly Systems: Towards User Friendly Manufacturing

Besides coping with the highly dynamic product and production system life cycles with ever-changing requirements, modern assembly systems also need to be user-friendly. Their modularity at fine granularity-level combined with local intelligence and a distributed control approach allows the systems to evolve together with the requirements -but their complexity would soon not be manageable from outside any more if user-friendliness was not considered a major criterion. Systems must be made to serve their users. Thanks to Self-* capabilities, systems can gain an increasingly high degree of autonomy. Diagnosis plays a particularly important role in this process.

Evolvable Assembly Systems: Developments and Advances

The aim of this paper is to introduce the basic principles. and concepts of evolvable assembly systems, EAS, represents a novel way of designing and implementing assembly systems in industry, and was first presented in 2002. The essence of EAS resides in the ability of system components to not only adapt to the changing conditions of operation, but also to assist in the evolution of these components in time such that processes may become more robust, maintenance aspects are supported, and legacy systems integrated. EAS also enforces the idea that ubiquitous computing and distributed control are best suited for such endeavors. This article will present the latest developments and advances made to date.

EVOLVABLE ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS: FROM EVALUATION TO APPLICATION

Presented in 2002, and applied within the EUPASS and A3 projects, Evolvable Assembly Systems proposes a novel way of applying assembly systems in industry. The essence of EAS resides not only in the ability of system components to adapt to the changing conditions of operation, but also to assist in the evolution of these components in time such that processes may become more robust. The main features of Evolvable systems include distributed control, a modularized, intelligent and open architecture, and a comprehensive and multi dimensional methodological support that comprises the reference architecture. The work has been, and is being, implemented through large European research projects. Evolvability being a system concept, it is envisaged to address every aspect of an assembly system throughout its life cycle, i.e., design and development, operation and evolution. Furthermore, integration of legacy subsystems and modules have been addressed in the methodology. This article will present the latest developments, applications and conclusions drawn to date.