Peter Falster

Integration in manufacturing

Abstract Integration has attracted much attention in manufacturing research, especially when related to Computer Integrated Manufacturing. There is, however, a need to develop a framework for understanding the role of integration in manufacturing. We shall first define integration as “joining together to make one, i.e. a whole”. Then we shall show that integration actually means re-integration, because the process of designing a manufacturing system starts with a set of products and an entire factory which is already integrated. The term “function” is used to describe the basic divisions of an industrial organisation which forms its invariant elements. This will allow us to discuss integration inside functions, e.g. product design, production planning, purchasing, and production control. Means for integration across function boundaries include common goals, main links and consultation links. A move toward integration in one function is likely to lead to improvements in other functions and in general. This calls for new organisational means for working across functions. In conclusion, we recommend a progressive approach to integration, which (1) integrates goals, (2) plans integration inside each function, (3) plans integration between functions, and (4) organises the system.

Planning and controlling production systems in combining simulation and expert systems

Abstract Simulation and expert systems are similar in many aspects. Both are based on a modular representation of a system with an inference mechanism that derives the representation. The paper advocates for a unified data modelling framework whereby model structure is represented by data and not by program. The planning and controlling of production systems are based on a set of heuristic design rules experienced from engineering practice.

Why is it difficult to sell GT and JIT to industry

Abstract It is more than 40 years since the idea of Group Technology (GT) was developed, and even longer since Production Control systems—which today arc called Just-In-Time (JIT) systems—were first used in manufacturing. These two approaches, which give simple material flow, with very low stocks, have provided the foundation for Japans present day superiority in manufacturing. They have, however, been very slow to gain acceptance in the West. This paper studies the reasons for this slow progress in the West. It sees these changes as essential for our survival, and makes some suggestions for improving the rate of progress.

Reducing delivery times for OKP products

Abstract The management of the manufacture of lone-of-a-kindr products lOKPr is a neglected field in production management. The key to an improvement in productivity and profitability in this field appears to depend mainly on a reduction in the delivery times for products, which in turn requires a reduction in material throughput times, and in design and production planning lead times. This paper looks at some of the ways which can be used to reduce OKP delivery times.

Graph Theoretical Approaches

The ideas summarized in Figs. 1.1– 1.3 can be expressed with the help of certain aspects of graph theory. This field of applied mathematics provides several useful theorems for overcoming the concrete difficulties so often met in biochronology. In addition, its notation is convenient to describe the algorithms which are used in the UAgraph program both to explain the structure of difficult biostratigraphic data, and to construct unitary associations and identify them in fossil-bearing beds.

Colligation or the logical inference of interconnection

The concept of interconnection is fundamental to the modelling of discrete, physical systems. On the basis of centuries of scientific experience, everyone will agree that the concept is part of a logically consistent approach, permitting us to draw conclusions, verifiable by observation, from basic laws or assumptions. Yet interconnection as an abstract concept seems to be without scientific underpinning in pure logic. Adopting a historical viewpoint, our aim is to show that the reasoning of interconnection may be identified with a neglected kind of logical inference, called ‘colligation’ by Charles Sanders Peirce.

Review of After-sales Service Concepts

For many manufacturing companies, after-sales service is an increasingly important part of the business and is more complex than manufacturing products. Unlike products it is not possible to produce services in advance and inventory these for future consumption. Instead an unpredictable event such as a machine failure triggers a need for manufacturing of parts for replacement and allocation of resources for the service. Various aspects of after-services are discussed with regards to business model, methodology, performance metrics, service portfolio and production planning and control.

Structural aspects of controllability and Sobservability—II. digraph decomposition

Abstract The graph theoretic aspects of controllability and observability are examined and related to the tensorial formulation of Part I of the paper. Particular emphasis is given to the significance of the system digraph decomposition and the relevance of this to certain system algebraic properties of interest in control theory.

Project Decision Chain

To add value to project performance and help obtain project success, a new framework for decision making in projects is defined. It introduces the project decision chain inspired by the supply chain thinking in the manufacturing sector and uses three types of decisions: authorization, selection, and plan decision. A primitive decision element is defined where all the three decision types can be accommodated. Each task in the primitive element can in itself contain subtasks that in turn will comprise new primitive elements. The primitive elements are nested together in a project decision chain.

The Aristotelian rainbow: from philosophy to computer graphics

Developments in the graphics discipline called realistic image synthesis are in many ways related to the historical development of theories of light. And theories of light will probably continue to inspire the ongoing search for realism in graphics. To nurture this inspiration, we present the first in-depth, source-based historical study that pinpoints events with relevance for graphics in the development of theories of light. We also show that ancient mathematical models for light scattering phenomena may still find a use in the branch of realistic image synthesis concerned with real-time rendering. As an example we use Aristotles theory of rainbow formation to construct a method for real-time rendering of rainbows. This example serves as an invitation to use the overview and references provided in this paper, not only for understanding where many of the physical concepts used in graphics come from, but also for finding more mathematical and physical models that are useful in graphics.