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2. Relational database as a cogitative part of an intelligent manufacturing systemIgor Drstvenšek, Mirko Ficko, Jože Balič, 2004, original scientific article Abstract: An intelligent manufacturing system is intended to produce one or more subjects that it is designed for in an optimal way. This means that it has to find a proper production process to produce the subject in an optimal way. The manufacturing system can be called "intelligent" when it is able to find applicable optimisation criteria upon its past experiences thus improving its performance in future. Therefore, an intelligent manufacturing system needs capabilities to store data and make decisions upon them. Such a "brain" can be established by a proper design of a technological database and its database management system (DBMS). Examining all constitutive parameters of a work operation a model of a production process organization can be made, which can serve as a basis for a suitable database design. In addition, an application programme that will check the existence and availability of work operations in the database has to be added to the DBMS. What remains are some optimisation criteria upon which we will choose an operation among suitable and available work operations. This task is fulfilled by a genetic algorithm optimisation technique that would consider work operations' data as parameters of optimisation and on this basis search the optimal one out of the set of available operation.
Keywords: production processes, optimisation, relational database, database management systems, production automation, manufacturing system
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1641; Downloads: 118
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3. A model of data flow in lower CIM levelsIgor Drstvenšek, Ivo Pahole, Jože Balič, 2004, original scientific article Abstract: After years of work in fields of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), and evolutionary optimisation techniques, several models of production automation were developed in our laboratories. The last model pools the discoveries that proved their effectiveness in the past models. It is based on the idea of five levels CIM hierarchy where the technological database (TDB) represents a backbone of the system. Further on the idea of work operation determination by an analyse of the production system is taken out of a model for FMS control system, and finally the approach to the optimisation of production is supported by the results of evolutionary based techniques such as genetic algorithms and genetic programming.
Keywords: computer integrated manufacturing, flexible manufacturing systems, evolutionary optimisation techniques, production automation, CIM hierarchy, technological databases, production optimisation, genetic algorithms, genetic programming
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1828; Downloads: 97
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4. Databases for technological information systemsFranc Čuš, Bogomir Muršec, 2004, original scientific article Abstract: Organization of tool management for mixed production includes today, in particular, the computer-supported management and organization of the flow of tools and data on them. The system supports the entire flow of tools in a production process including the tool store management, commissioning, mounting, dismantling and pre-setting of tools. The system contains the management of the tool database with all vital data on tools and ensures adaption of production requirements for meeting the needs for tools. The integral model for the selection of optimal cutting conditions in the computer aided tool management system (TOMS) is proposed. The integration of technological databases and tool management systems is urgently necessary. The target function for the OPTIS programme, worked out by the programme package Microsoft Visual Basic, is selection of optimal cutting conditions from commercial databases with respect to the lowest costs of machining by taking into account the technological limitations of the metal removal process. The newly developed OPTIS programme selects optimal cutting conditions with respect to the tool maker, workpiece material, type of machining, cutting machine, smallest and greatest cutting conditions, tool, data on series, type of clamping and workpiece geometry.
Keywords: machining processes, tool system, manufacturing systems, technological information systems, databases, tool management, machining systems, cutting conditions
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 2352; Downloads: 88
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5. Designing the layout of single- and multiple-rows flexible manufacturing system by genetic algorithmsMirko Ficko, Miran Brezočnik, Jože Balič, 2004, original scientific article Abstract: The paper presents a model of designing of the flexible manufacturing system (FMS) in one or multiple rows with genetic algorithms (GAs). First the reasons for studying the layout of devices in the FMS are discussed. After studying the properties of the FMS and perusing the methods of layout designing the genetic algorithms methods was selected as the most suitable method for designing the FMS. The genetic algorithm model, the most suitable way of coding the solutions into the organisms and the selected evolutionary and genetic operators are presented. In the model, the automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for transport between components of the FMS were used. In this connection, the most favourable number of rows and the sequence of devices in the individual row are established by means of genetic algorithms. In the end the test results of the application made and the analysis are discussed.
Keywords: flexible manufacturing systems, facility layout, optimization, genetic algorithms
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1615; Downloads: 96
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6. Absorptive capacity in European manufacturing: a Delphi studyPetra Jung Erceg, Krsto Pandža, Heidi Armbruster, Carsten Dreher, 2007, original scientific article Abstract: This paper sets out to discuss the results of a specific part of a Europe-wide Delphi study that considers issues of absorptive capacity in European manufacturing. Owing to the importance to competitiveness of increasing innovative capabilities in manufacturing it is highly relevant to explore how a wide community of manufacturing experts experience the phenomenon of absorptive capacity and sense future developments. A two round Delphi method was designed in which more than 3,000 experts from 22 European countries assessed 101 statements. This paper discusses eight statements focused on the issue of absorptive capacity. The results show a general consensus about the influence of different inter-firm relationships in acquiring external knowledge and a diversified knowledge structure for assimilating the acquired knowledge. The study also indicates some potential challenges and contradictions in managing inter-firm relationships and knowledge diversity aswell as perceived barriers for future developments of absorptive capacity. Delphi survey is an empirical method subject to the limitation of testing or inductively building theoretical concepts. The results of the Delphi study arepredominantly centred on policy implication and on informing strategic decision-making at manufacturing firms. This paper discusses one of the biggest Delphi surveys ever conducted in Europe. Its comprehensiveness increases the value of the results.
Keywords: industry, manufacturing systems, knowledge capture, Delphi method, Europ
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1398; Downloads: 81
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7. Basic solutions on shape complexity evaluation of STL dataBogdan Valentan, Tomaž Brajlih, Igor Drstvenšek, Jože Balič, 2008, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose of this paper is to present basic solutions on shape complexity, based on basic information of the STL data. Design/methodology/approach: Paper presents a few methods of mathematically evaluating the complexity of the shape. Methods vary from very simple based on the number of triangles in STL file, STL file size and the parts volume, to the more complex mathematical evaluation based on the basic relations of the STL data. Findings: We discovered that evaluation of shape complexity based only on basic data of STL data gives us some basic results on part complexity and can be used for further researches. Research limitations/implications: For parts with large block volume/part volume ratio and thinner parts with free form surfaces only the first method is suitable and gives suitable results. Practical implications: In a rapidly developing field of manufacturing technologies choosing the optimal manufacturing procedure is a difficult and crucial decision. Usually the decision is based on experience evaluation that is fast and can be optimal. Usually, this method produces goods results, but in some cases this method can lead to cost increases and reduced economic efficiency without us even knowing that. Therefore, it is crucial, that a fast and simple solution is developed, by which the optimal way of manufacturing can be determined. Originality/value: Choosing maximum efficient manufacturing processes on base of part complexity is a new perspective in manufacturing, which, properly evolved and complied can cause revolution in manufacturing optimization, especially in hybrid manufacturing processes.
Keywords: manufacturing systems, shape complexity, complex shapes, manufacturing optimization, engineering design, STL files, STL file parameters
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1724; Downloads: 61
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8. Evolutionary programming of CNC machinesMiha Kovačič, Miran Brezočnik, Ivo Pahole, Jože Balič, Borut Kecelj, 2005, original scientific article Abstract: The paper proposes a new concept for programming of CNC machines. The concept based on genetic algorithms assures evolutionary generation and optimization of NC programs on the basis of CAD models of manufacturing environment. The structure, undergoing simulated evolution, is the population of NC programs. The NC programs control the machine which performs simple elementary motions. During the evolution the machine movement becomes more and more complex and intelligent solutions emerge gradually as a result of the interaction between machine movements and manufacturing environment. The examples of evolutionary programming of CNC lathe and CNC milling machine tool for different complexities of the blanks and products are presented. The proposed concept showed a high degree of universality, efficiency, and reliability and it can be also simply adopted to other CNC machines.
Keywords: manufacturing systems, NC-programming, CNC lathes, simulated evolution, genetic algorithms
Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1525; Downloads: 103
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9. Intelligent process planning for competitive engineeringValentina Gečevska, Franc Čuš, 2010, original scientific article Abstract: Process planning is one of the key activities for product design and manufacturing. The impact of process plans on all phases of product design and manufacture requires high level of interaction of different activities and close integration of them into a coherent system. This paper presents a process model of product development with manufacturing approach based on intelligent process planning techniques with focus on optimal selection of manufacturing parameters. Some derivations of the computing model for analysis of machining conditions by optimal determination of the cutting parameters in multi-pass NC machining activities are made with implementation of new evolutionary computation techniques. Genetic Algorithm (GA) based optimization method and deterministic optimization method (DO) are developed and then implementations into real manufacturing process planning for new product developed are analyzed. The results showed that both the developed optimization methods (GA and DO), especially GA, are effective methods for solving multi-objective optimization problems during the manufacturing process planning and cutting parameters selection.
Keywords: genetic algorithm, intelligent manufacturing systems, process planning
Published in DKUM: 31.05.2012; Views: 1735; Downloads: 36
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10. Design of row-based flexible manufacturing system with evolutionary computationMirko Ficko, Jože Balič, 2008, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: This paper discusses design of flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) in one or multiple rows. Evolutionary computation, particularly genetic algorithms (GAs) proved to be successful in search of optimal solution for this type of problems. The model of solution, the most suitable way of coding the solutions into the organisms and the selected evolutionary and genetic operators are presented. In this connection, the most favourable number of rows and the sequence of devices in the individual row are established by means of genetic algorithms (GAs). In the end the test results of the application made and the analysis are discussed.
Keywords: flexible manufacturing system design, genetic algorithms, evolutionary computation, intelligent manufacturing systems, artificial intelligence
Published in DKUM: 31.05.2012; Views: 1810; Downloads: 94
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