Sándor Kopácsi

Application of software reuse and object-oriented methodologies for the modelling and control of manufacturing systems

In this paper object-oriented design and the application of software reuse of components of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) will be introduced. The goal of this research is to provide methods and tools to build up FMS simulation models and control strategies easily, fast and reliably. As a software tool the SALMS reuse repository and its application will be demonstrated. The design methodology used for model development is based on the object-oriented Rational Rose CASE tool and on the use-case design of the OOSE methodology. A hybrid simulation and scheduling system (SSS) is used to validate and evaluate all results. SSS has been implemented as a combination of a traditional simulation/animation system (SIMAN/Cinema) and an intelligent expert environment (G2). The application of the real-time, intelligent G2 environment points to one of our R and D goals, to create intelligent, real-time control of FMS. Reuse in SIMAN/Cinema and in G2 will be analysed separately and together in general, and in the context of FMS.

Ambient Intelligence in Product Life-cycle Management

To fulfil the increasing demands today the short innovation time and the high quality of production itself is not enough in production of goods, but all phases of a product (from idea to recycling) should be managed by advanced tools and means. Nowadays the competition among companies, joined to the environmental protection rules, is so compelling that they should not only be on the top of technology in the area, but also run their business according to life-long models. The emphasis on the product post-sale life is common for these models. The most popular model is Product Life-cycle Management, for manufacturing companies, or Service Engineering (SE), for service-oriented companies, and, for both, common paradigms are in maintenance, with conformance-to-use certification. The paper introduces some basic research results achieved in the application of Ambient Intelligence, and suggests considering maintenance as a cross section of the two business paradigms. The importance of SE is specially underlined in this work.

Application of artificial intelligence to problems in advanced manufacturing systems

Abstract Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) are used worldwide for the production of parts in CIM systems. The design and operation of an FMS can be achieved only by the teamwork of several experts using different computer programs. Because of the complexity and diversity of the problems to be solved, traditional programming can be used only if combined with artificial intelligence techniques, such as expert and knowledge-based systems. This paper deals with the application of expert systems to assist in quality control and the simulation and control of FMSs. Well known traditional simulation (Cinema/SIMAN) and networking (MAP) packages are combined with high performance expert systems (ALL-EX, G2) to provide acceptable solutions. This paper reports on recent work where rapid prototype rograms are under test, with the ultimate goal of providing industrially applicable programs.

Concurrent design of automated manufacturing systems using knowledge processing technology

Abstract Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) built up from smaller, complex units, i.e. from cells (FMC) are becoming typical examples of flexible systems. The design and the operation (control) of these cells need new methods to utilize all the embedded benefits of the sophisticated and expensive elements installed for production purposes. In the case of such systems the life-cycle engineering approach has an important role. This means that during the design of automated manufacturing systems the technological plans of the future products strongly have to be taken into consideration. New technologies and methods like knowledge processing technology and cooperative problem solving techniques offer wide possibilities to design more reasonable systems. The paper describes a prototype design system that makes use of different knowledge based tools and techniques to configure, or reconfigure manufacturing cells taking into consideration technological plans. There is also a possibility for analyzing the cells by simulating and animating their operation.

Integrated application of real-time expert systems for FMS evaluation and control

The paper describes some applications of expert systems (ES) for flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). A complex FMS simulation tool is shown with different connection possibilities to expert systems to have a good evaluation performance and the make steps toward automatic control. The interfacing problems of the software modules are also discussed. In the recent stage of the research rapid prototype programs are under test, and the future goal of CIM Research Laboratory (CIMLab) is to solve industrial problems with these tools and softwares.

A knowledge based simulation system for flexible manufacturing

A knowledge-based simulation system in which a traditional simulation language is combined with different expert systems is introduced. The rapid prototype system has some scheduling and quality control power based on the simulation communicating with advisory expert systems.<<ETX>>

Some aspects of dynamic 3D representation and control of industrial processes via the Internet

In our research we examine and use 3D representation of industrial processes, for example the novel methods of Incremental Sheet Forming. We also test 3D imaging methods on our industrial robot solving the Rubiks Cube. We have created 3D models of our robots and their environment in our laboratory to examine the behavior of different industrial processes both in the real, and in the 3D virtual environment. We have connected the 3D model with the real system with which we could extend the features of our robots with some services that exits in the virtual space. We have also established synchronized connections of the real and virtual systems, which enables us to control the real robots and machines from its 3D model via the Internet.

INT-MANUS: revolutionary controlling of production processes

INT-MANUS is a research project with eight European partners backed by the European Commission. The project is developing a new technology, the Smart Connected Control Platform (SCC platform) for manufacturing enterprises. This platform allows controlling production plants in a revolutionary way. With the help of a distributed learning agent platform, innovative mechatronics approaches, ubiquitous, augmented and virtual reality the project will implement a research prototype for a manufacturing plant capable of advanced proactive maintenance, customized production, and error diagnosis and support. The Smart Connected Control platform seamlessly integrates human personnel and manufacturing machines and robots in the production process.

Design of Flexible Manufacturing Systems with Reuse in a KB Simulation Environment

Abstract In this paper the application of software reuse and of object-oriented methodologies will be introduced as assistance for the simulation based design of FMS. This system has been implemented as a combination of a traditional, simulation/animation language (SIMAN/Cinema) and an intelligent expert environment (G2). Reuse in SIMAN/Cinema and in G2 will be analyzed separately and together in general, and in the context of FMS to get acceptable solutions, to build up new simulation models using parts of earlier simulation models. The design methodology used for model development is based on the object-oriented Rational Rose CASE tool of the OOD methodology and on the use-case design of the OOSE methodology.

A survey on some aspects of ambient intelligence

Abstract Nowadays the competition among companies, joined to the environmental protection rules, is so compelling that they should not only be on the top of technology in they area, but also run their business according to life-long models. The emphasis on the product post-sale life is common for these models. The most popular model is Product Lifecycle Management, for manufacturing companies, or Service Engineering, for service-oriented companies, and, for both, common paradigms are in maintenance, with conformance-to-use certification. The paper introduces basic research results achieved in application of Ambient Intelligence, and suggests considering maintenance as a cross section of the two business paradigms.