Slawomir Skowronski

Development of Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Management Systems

Abstract An approach to development of computer integrated manufacturing and management systems is described. The approach is based on the first thread – the system Media serving the Chief Power Engineer and Environment Department up to the executive board of the enterprise involved. On this first thread, the standards facilitating further development of the system should be developed and, even more important, people acquainted with both manufacturing and management problems should be educated. The paper discusses possible software and hardware architectures proposed for the system Media.

Power Industry Computer Control System Design and Implementation Problems: A Case Study of Poland

The design and implementation team of computer automation systems for the Polish power industry faced many difficult problems connected with the lack of experience in this domain in the country. Another kind of problems was implied by different levels of information and communication technology in that country and in well developed ones. The differences were generated by both internal (importation limitations) and external (various embargos) reasons. But perhaps the most severe problems were the political ones, implied by the omnipotent communist system, that could spoil and often spoiled even many-year work of design and implementation teams. The paper tries to answer how, in such adverse conditions, it was possible to design and develop very successful power industry computer automation systems.

A Case Study: History of Polish Computer Applications in Power System Control

In spite of the difference in the country development level, especially in computer and automation technology, between Poland and well developed countries, the history of local computer control applications in the Polish power industry is rather interesting. The paper has been prepared by the IFAC Technical Committee SWISS due to significant social political and cultural aspects of power system control and describes the history of the power system projects implemented in the country by the leading power system automation centre.

A LSIS case study: Computer integrated manufacturing and management systems

Abstract Abstract An approach to development of pioneering large scale industrial systems is described for a case study of computer integrated manufacturing and management systems. The paper presents some experience in large scale systems and the current state of art for the domain. A feasible approach is proposed, based on prospective user expectations and the system development with use of so called first thread on which the standards facilitating development of subsequent systems should be developed and people acquainted with both manufacturing and management problems should be educated. The approach proposed is particularly suitable for big metallurgical plants and IFAC seems to be a good choice for an organisation preparing the first implementation.

Robustness Comparison of Enterprise Energy Distribution Systems of Various Topologies

Abstract The problem of the communication system topology for distributed control systems in large-scale manufacturing enterprises is usually solved in a rather arbitrary way. The paper presents some reasonable approached based of evaluation of the system robustness, using the µ function as the measure or robustness. The paper proposes a method feasible for actual system designers since computational effort is rather low for communication systems described with time delays only.

An Approximate Actual Network Performance Evaluation Method

Since early eighties, not too many happened in analytical methods of performance valuation for actual computer and communication networks. The methods of the classic queuing theory (the mean value analysis, the convolution method) adopt unrealistic assumptions. The stochastic queuing network methods are not adequate for investigation of actual networks. Therefore, the paper presents an approximate method based on many-year performance evaluation experience and some heuristics. The approach is based on the notion of the closed route within the computer network under investigation; the complete network being described as a collection of such closed routes. The method was successfully validated by simulation and measurements. Some more complex approximations, feasible due to development of the computing tools, are also proposed.

Power Generation/Distribution Control Systems Topology Selection Based on Robustness Evaluation

Abstract The problem of the data acquisition/control system topology for distributed control systems in big power plants and/or power distribution centres is usually solved in a rather arbitrary way. The paper presents some reasonable approached based of evaluation of the system robustness, using the μ function as the measure or robustness. The paper proposes a method feasible for actual system designers since computational effort is rather low for communication systems described with time-delay members only.

Technology Change and Transfer Costs: A Case Study of Polan

Abstract The present paper discusses the problems of costs of the technology change and transfer in the domain of automation and ICT in a rather poorly developed country. The costs that had to be paid by the leading designers of large-scale projects are the basic concern. The paper presents some of the projects led by a single leading designer and the costs paid deliberately by the leading designer. The further discussion reveals that the costs are much lower than those paid by other pioneering system designers.

Technology Proliferation and Transfer Ethical Aspects: A Case Study of Wroclaw, Poland

Abstract The Lower Silesia, in particular Wroclaw, is the ex-capital city of Polish ICT and Automation. Therefore, the technology proliferation and transfer processes have been more much more advanced and easy for observation there than in other areas. The paper presents the basic working conditions of the actual Polish ICT Automation pioneers and technology proliferation in the past and some ethical aspects of the technology transfer processes after the political change in that country on the turn of the eighties. The paper is directed mainly to the ICT and Automation technology transfer process recipients, blowing the whistle to warn them of possible negative results of the processes, and the technology providers to warn them of possible results of the processes, negative even from the point of view of their own interests.

Barriers to Ethical Behaviour: A Case Study of Poland

Abstract Before the political change in the Case-study country of Poland, the system governing there encouraged unethical behaviour or even forced it. The paper discusses the most frequent methods used by the unethical power to force the actual pioneers of ICT and automation in the case study country to abandon performing their professions. The example of the most experienced leading designer of ICT and automation in the pioneering era in Poland depicts some effective ways to struggle with the improper actions of the power.