René Soenen

Toward a specification procedure of operational functions for an automated system

The objective of this paper is to propose a functional specification method that takes into account simultaneously the mechanical and automation aspects. This iterative method takes progressively information from the needs of the client. Its first aim is to obtain a product in accordance with the requirements, and the second goal is to reduce the design time under the concurrent engineering concept. This paper explains the second phase of the procedure (operational functions) and validates it through the study of a automated bottling system.

Decision Support System in CIM: An Integrated Production Activity Control System

Abstract Industrial companies are, at this time, faced with two major problems: highly competitive environment, decreasing useful life of products. They have to enhance their capacity to react the market and technology evolution. To reach this objective, it is necessary to modify the production organization and the management methods. Only a just-in-time approach, involving management of part flow and information flow can ensure a real productivity of the manufacturing system. A Production Activity Control System (PAC System) in charge of flow management, dispatching, monitoring and control of production activities constitutes the basic element of the shopfloor management. However, production activity control is a complex activity: multi-functions, multi-constraints, numerous and various data and knowledge. Operators need a decision support system to perform their tasks. In this paper, we present the decision support system (DSS) designed for PAC. First we give a functional model of the shopfloor control and define the different functions, constraints, data and knowledge. In the second part we describe the prototype of DSS that SLIGOS Company and LGIL have developped. Finally, the results and future developments are exhibited.

DFKN: A Model to Assist in the Capture and Utilisation of Design Knowledge

Abstract The process of acquiring and representing the engineering design knowledge is very important for Re-design. To address this problem, a hybrid knowledge model - dynamic fuzzy knowledge networks (DFKN) - is proposed. The DFKN is a structured networks composed of knowledge blocks. In a knowledge block, fuzzy concepts can be described based on the fuzzy theory; The experiential relationships can be represented in a meaningful way at the attribute level and achieved by way of connectionist computing at the value level. Through adjusting the weight of linkage in value level with artificial neural networks training algorithm, the experiential knowledge can be efficiently captured and reused.

A Design Approach that Integrates the Safety and Dependability Concept

Abstract Design a system that is dependable is today a constraint appearing in any customer requirements. It is a stake that can’t be ignored and is a part, among others, of the performances that a product must reach during its running phase. For that, it must be taken into account and integrated at the design phase of it. Thus, after a presentation of the safety and dependability concept and an analysis of the problematic, the paper suggests a design approach that makes a distinction between the product model and the design process. This approach also integrates, in a concurrent engineering organisation, the safety and dependability concept.

A Systemic Approach to Master Failures of Manufacturing Systems

Abstract The latest management approaches of automated manufacturing systems and the influence of human, economic and technical factors have caused a major mutation of maintenance function. That one is consequently confronted by more and more complex problems whose the solving requires specific decision and engineering methods and tools. One of these problems concerns the definition of maintenance strategies to apply on technological elements of manufacturing systems. After an analysis of the problematic, this paper proposes a structured and formal methodology for the definition of those maintenance strategies and evokes a failures diagnosis/prognosis approach of manufacturing systems.

Specification Procedure of an Automated System

Abstract The aim of this paper is to propose a new functional specification procedure that takes into account simultaneously the mechanical and automatical aspects. This iterative method takes progressively information from the needs of the client. Its first aim is to obtain a product in accord with the requirements, and the second goal is to reduce the time under the concurrent engineering concept. After a presentation of the existing design methods, the second section of the article presents the three iterative phases. In a third section, the study of an automated system is performed as validation.

An Approach for Aiding Production Automated Systems Reconfiguration

Abstract Existing Production Automated Systems (PAS) include an increasingly high number of parameters, which makes their operation phase more complex to manage. The aim of this paper is to describe a proposition concerning a model of complex PAS, as well as assistance tools aiding the operator to reconfigurate the Production Automated Systems. The PAS reconfiguration concept is defined as a set of modification of the dynamic behaviour and the operating modes of PAS entities in order to maintain the desirable performances.

Function-based Design for Manufacturability

Abstract Our CAD/CAM approach concerns the integration of design and manufacturing of mechanical products. We replace the sequential product life cycle, adopted by the actual CAD/CAM systems, by a cyclic one which reflects the real practices in trade Design offices. We allow the designer to realize the products with both functional and geometrical points of view, by using predefined and user-defined features. Features of the first category represent the product functions. The link between functions and geometry and its attributes expresses “the design intent” which is captured in order to facilitate the reuse of products designs. Each feature provides not only its functions but also its manufacturing process, the second aspect is very useful for reliability estimations, especially when it is done in the early design stage. A validation mock-up was developed using, among others, the non-manifold geometry and the AI reasonings. After a summary description of the mock-up, we end this paper for illustration by a detailed design study of a sharpening device.

Hood Implementation of Operating Modes in Automated Production Systems

Abstract Operation phase corresponds to the last phase of an industrial project. It has to produce in quantity, quality and also in a limited time delay. To provide better answers to exploitation orders, the operator must be in possession of every information to check the system. But nowadays, automatized systems are often too complex for users and they cannot operate as well as necessary. The major aspect of the problem consists on operations modes. Operations modes are necessary to introduce or modify orders in the production phase, take into account stops, failures and also restarts. Then, the study of running and stop modes must occur in the specification phase, and tools to aid the operator must be developed. This paper presents the MESAP model (Modele d’Exploitation des Systemes Automatises de Production) and its implementation by the HOOD method.