J. Peklenik

A Conceptual Framework for Collaborative Design and Operations of Manufacturing Work Systems

The paper addresses a conceptual framework for collaborative product design and related manufacturing system development, operations and maintenance. The framework consists of (1) a conceptual model for collaboration among autonomous manufacturing work systems and (2) an ICT platform which supports collaborative operations over the web. The framework improves visibility, understanding and control of the processes involved and on a practical level provides a platform on which geographically distributed operations can be conducted effectively. The system is developed as an integrated prototype web application. The case study presents the implementation of the concept in the development, operations and maintenance of manufacturing cells for die-casting of aluminum and magnesium components for automotive industry.

Some Basic Relationships for Identification of the Machining Processes

Research into the machining processes was since E.W. Taylor very intensive, tying to understand and describe the process as a complex object of control, its modelling ions based predominantly on the deterministic approach, and well known laws of classical physics. This contribution reports on some research results, where the process represents a part of the close loop machining systems and is described as a propagating and frictional surface interface. Its identification is based on stochastic inputs and outputs, related to the structure of the material. An attempt is made to develop the process transfer function, determining the gain factors, the process frequency bandwidths and the damping factors in relation to the cutting speeds and structural characteristics of the materials.

Self-organization in a distributed manufacturing system based on constraint logic programming

Abstract The paper addresses the problem of self-organization of manufacturing systems. The objective is to overcome the rigidity of conventional hierarchical structures and to introduce structures that are able to adapt to a dynamic environment. The presented approach is based on the concept of Complex Adaptive Manufacturing Systems. It is characterized by a decomposition of manufacturing objectives and allocation of tasks to work systems as autonomous building blocks in a dynamic environment. The allocation is based on a market mechanism that enables self-organization and optimization of a manufacturing system by evaluation and selection among competing work systems. The approach is implemented in the Constraint Logic Programming environment Eclipse and validated in a simulation experiment.

Feature-Based Part Database Design and Automatic Forming of Part Families for GT

Summary The contribution deals with the feature based part database (engineering model) design, realized through the CAD program FAMOS. The system enables the forming of part families by automatic generation of the part binary coding matrix or part classification. The part database has a relational structure including the geometrical, dimensional, and tolerance features.

Development of the Part Spectrum Database for Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems (CIMS)

Summary The Part Spectrum Database (PSDB) represents the focal point of the information system for CIMS, affecting vitally the activities related to CAD/GT/CAPP/CAM/CAQ/CAA. The structure of PSDB based on computer-aided system for forming the part families, is explained in detail. The entity relational database contains the engineering model of a part, as the fundamental basis for the development of an integrated and unified production information system. The geometrical entities and relations yield the required information for the implementation of the computer aided generation of part drawings, part families, processing sheets, NC-tapes etc.

Development of a CAD-System Based on Part Engineering Model and Binary Coding Matrix

Summary A new 2D-CAD system based on the engineering model of a mechanical part and the binary coding matrix has been developed and tested. The procedure of transforming the engineering model into an information structure, enables the designer to draw quickly a part with simple programing and geometrical tool. In addition the part is automatically classified into a part family of the part spectrum data base. The geometrical data base is designed with the view of integration the CAU/CAPP/CAM systems.

The energy quanta and the entropy : new parameters for identification of the machining processes

Abstract The contribution presents some new findings in search for a more comprehensive description of the machining processes, such as turning, milling and drilling. The experimentally determined power spectra of the input, transformation and output energy are used for computing the energy quanta and the entropy of the processes. It is shown, that the change of the entropy allows to explain some of the process behaviours. By introducing the energy quanta, as a derivative of the energy power spectra, a new parameter has been confirmed which contributes to better understanding of the machining process physics.

Adaptive and Competent Network Structures for the Development and Design of High-Tech Products

The development of a High-Tech Product requires the following ingredients: new and innovative ideas based on the creativity of the developers and the research accomplishments in the relevant field, careful selection of the best solution taking into consideration the global markets, the available and required knowledge of the participants, an assessment of the costs, development time, manufacturing capacities, adaptability of the work structures integrated into the development and design network.

Development of machine components with controllable dynamic behavior

Summary The paper reports on the development of composite materials suitable for machine tool modules. Several combinations of materials, geometric forms, dimensions and gluing techniques have been used for producing the basic elements - the composite plate structures (CPS). The investigation is focused into determining the static and dynamic properties of CPS-boxes, in particular, the ratios between the stiffness and weight, the resonance damping, the ratios of the resonance stiffness and mass for the CPS and conventional test boxes.

Investigation of the Computer-Aided Drafting

The workshop drawing represents the basic document for forming the part spectrum data base for process planning and the generation of the NC - tapes. The paper reports on a unified approach to develop a software for computer-aided drafting on a common basis with the CAPP and CAM including the computer-aided part classification. The proposal is based on the binary matrix of primitives in CSG presentation. The organisation and the operations on the sets of contours are explained in detail. It is shown how this approach is used in computer-aided drafting.