Peter Košťál

Offline Programming of an ABB Robot Using Imported CAD Models in the RobotStudio Software Environment

Current trend in automation area is focused to the innovation in all fields of the technologies and technological devices. Probably industrial robots and manipulators belong to development too. Industrial robots and manipulators belong to progressive elements of automation. Modern concept uses the offline programming as a tools integration of the virtual CAD models into programming environment. Offline programming carries a lot of advantages for example possibility of the programming without real robot system, possibility of the collision state debugging. Implementation of CAD models in virtual environment of Robot studio achieves better workplace station of creating robotic system and also it generates rather trajectories of the robot path in this system.

Laboratory of Flexible Manufacturing System

The main advantage of the flexible manufacturing system is its high flexibility in management of production facilities and resources (time, machines and their utilization, etc.). The largest application of these systems is in the area of small batch production where its efficiency is getting near to the mass production efficiency. Its disadvantage is the high implementation price.

Layout Redesign and Material Flow Analysis at a Flexible Assembly Cell Supported by the Use of Simulation

This paper essentially emerges from scientific and teaching needs of a university institute while trying deepen into a more formal analysis and/or design process of the material flow and associated manufacturing decisions, e.g.: the layout. Fulfilling such needs, the paper makes allusion to key manufacturing decisions associated to the material flow, while stressing the fact of their mandatory consideration when integrally addressing the primary problem. A partial application of the ideas takes place at a flexible assembly cell of the institute; some of the main results of it are: (1) a more formal description of the whole cell including alternative material flow scenarios, (2) the proposal of a new scenario implying the redesign of the cell conception, i.e.: the layout and thus material flow itself, (3) the simulation and comparison of material flow scenarios selecting the best one in terms of both the MF and layout, among others. At the end, the integration of all these previous elements clearly contributed to the solution of the research’ problem and objectives traced within the frame of the research.

On the Possibilities of Intelligence Implementation in Manufacturing: The Role of Simulation

Over the years, the world of manufacturing has witnessed significant work in the area of Intelligent Manufacturing. Special efforts have been made in the implementation of new technologies, management and control systems, among many others which have all evolved the field. Closely following all this and due to the scope of new projects and the need of turning the existing flexible ideas into more autonomous and intelligent ones, i.e.: Intelligent Manufacturing, the present paper emerges with the main aim of contributing under a this new intelligent denomination to the design and analysis of the material flow in either systems, cells or workstations. For this, besides offering a conceptual basis in some of the key points to be taken into account and some general principles to consider in the design and analysis of the material flow, also some tips on how to define other possible alternative material flow scenarios and a classification of the states a system, cell or workstation are offered as well. All this is done with the intentions of relating it with the use of simulation tools, for which these have been briefly addressed with a special focus on the Witness simulation package. For a better comprehension, the previous elements are supported by a detailed layout, other figures and a few expressions which could help obtaining necessary data. Such data and others will be used in the future, when simulating the scenarios in the search of the best material flow configurations.

Integrating Production and Maintenance Planning as an Element of Success at the Tactical Level: A Fuzzy Control Theory Approach

Abstract This contribution focuses on the topic of the Production–Maintenance integration at the tactical level and what it presents to the correct functioning and success of companies. For these purposes, a general framework for the integration of production and maintenance planning at the tactical level is introduced and described within this paper. It considers the key elements from the Value Analysis, Fuzzy Control and the Reliability-Centered Maintenance theories and implements them into the context of an existing method for selecting maintenance strategies. The proposal mainly focuses and addresses the definition of 1/ the roles played by the fixed assets that do really add value to the production system, 2/ the best maintenance strategy for each asset, and also addresses 3/ the modifications that, may be needed in the tactical production plan due to potential capacity problems in the maintenance subsystem.

Analysis of the Surface Morphology of the S235JRG1 Steel After an Abrasive Water Jet Cutting Process

Abstract The present paper discusses the impact of the speed of an abrasive water jet cutting process on some surface properties and morphology of the S235JRG1 steel. The values of the cutting speeds used for the analysis were of 100, 150 and 200 mm.min−1 respectively. A contact profile method was used to analyze the surface roughness during the conducted tests. In this study, the observed surface roughness parameters were the Ra, Rt and Rz, respectively. At the same time, these parameters were measured in three positions, i.e.: at the inlet (A), in the middle (B) and at the exit position (C) of the water jet nozzle with respect to the machined material. The experimental study showed that the roughness of the surface reached higher peaks and was more pronounced at the exit position (C) of the water jet. Similarly, it was also concluded that a better quality of the surface was achieved at a speed of 150 mm.min−1.

On the Effect of the Cutting Speed of a Water Jet Abrasive Cutting Process on the Surface Morphology of the Low Carbon Steel S235

In order to increase the cutting and breaking capacity of abrasive water jet machining (AWJM), abrasive particles are usually added to water. The AWJM technology is generally used for harder and heavier machinable materials like thick sheets, composite materials with metal and ceramic properties and others within these categories to just cite a few. The contribution is mainly focused on the analysis of the surface properties of the steel S235 after the cutting process, and this depending on the cutting speed of the water jet. Three different cutting speeds were used for the analysis because this cutting parameter significantly affects the resulting quality of the machined surface. A contact profile method was used to analyze surface roughness. The observed surface roughness parameters were the Ra, Rt and Rz respectively. The above-mentioned surface roughness parameters were measured in three positions, i.e.: at the inlet, middle and exit positions of the water jet with respect to the machined material.

Automated In-Process Inspection Method in the Flexible Production System iCIM 3000

The quality of products and production processes crucially influences the position of the enterprises on the market. The paper deals with the analysis of the activities of the test station, analysis of operations necessary to carry out the testing, what component is tested and which parameter is evaluated, where the measured values are sent and how is processed the evaluation in the flexible production system iCIM 3000 to be found at the Institute. The result of the project is to analyze the principle and in-process methods of inspection and testing at the station and the principle of processing of the results, which are processed using mathematical and statistical operations. These in-process inspection methods automatically eliminate various influences and factors that negatively affect the accuracy of parts and labor capacity of the machine. It contributes to shortening the preparatory and subsidiary times and the correction of the tool adjustment in the operating position on the machine. It is belonged the automatic modification of part-programs to the functions of an active control.

On the Analysis and Customization of an iCIM 3000 System: A take on the Material Flow, its Complexity and a few General Issues to Improve

The present paper starts generally describing a few aims and main facilities of an academic-research oriented Institution. However, in essence, the paper mainly offers a step more into the description, analysis, identification of problems and a few customization/initial solution issues of a new iCIM 3000 system In this process, special emphasis is made on the material flow problem. For this, besides offering a description and analysis of the system and its main parts, also some tips on how to define other possible alternative material flow scenarios and a partial analysis of the combinatorial nature of the problem are offered as well; all this is done with the intentions of relating it with the use of simulation tools. For a better comprehension, the previous elements are supported by a few figures and expressions which would help obtaining necessary data. Such data and others will be used in the future, when simulating the scenarios in the search of the best material flow configurations.

Laboratory of Flexible Manufacturing System for Drawingless Manufacturing

Flexible Manufacturing Systems provide a fast reaction possibility to the changes in production conditions. For achieving a quick responsibility of production, it is necessary to leave the traditional form of production process planning. Nowadays, most of the products are designed by using CAx software. The product design of 3D model contains not only the geometrical data of product, but it may contain a part of the process plan and technological data as well.