摘要:

This paper is concerned with prediction of machine utilization and specific work-batch completions in a manufacturing workshop which employs dispatching rules for work loading. Predictions from a simple iterative computer simulation are compared with those from a real-time manual simulation. The computer simulation is varied by adjusting the number of iterations and the allocated process capacities, and conclusions are drawn on the best method of achieving improvement in the fit of the model. The technique is applied on a microcomputer, but it can be implemented on a mini or mainframe if manufacturing information data flies currently exist. It will be of value in short term allocation of flexible resources, in supplying detailed predictions of individual work batch completions to improve service levels or in short term planning of maintenance to coincide with machine idle periods.

ISSN:0020-7543    

DOI:10.1080/00207548608919785

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1986

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

This is a sequel of a paper entitled: ‘A framework for the economic evaluation of production system and product design alternatives for robot assembly’ (AbdelMalek and Boucher 1985). The previous work introduced guidelines for the robotic assembly of a ‘peg-in-a-hole’. This paper extends the previous work to cover the robotic assembly of parts with general geometries. The paper analyses the effect of the diiferent parameters involved in the robotic assembly process on its feasibility.

ISSN:0020-7543    

DOI:10.1080/00207548608919786

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1986

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

A major problem in the adoption of advanced manufacturing systems for the automated factories of tomorrow is the prerequisite justification process. Many worthwhile projects have been turned down because the qualitative benefits could not be included in the justification procedure while the direct cost savings were insufficient to meet the financial hurdles set by the firm. This paper identifies and demonstrates the range of techniques that have been used by firms to justify automation investments and describes the conditions under which it is most appropriate to employ them.

ISSN:0020-7543    

DOI:10.1080/00207548608919787

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1986

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

In this study we analyse the behaviour of production levels and stocks in an integrally controlled multi-product multi-phase production system, We show that certain types of variations in the master production schedule (MPS) may lead to large short-term variations in production. To reduce the costs of these variations we introduce production smoothing, and we derive a modification of well-known integral production decision rules to realize smoothed production behaviour. By means of a small scale example we demonstrate the quantitative effects of our production smoothing rule on the variations in stocks and production levels. Finally, we present the general structure of a cost model that can be used to determine appropriate values for the smoothing parameters, given a specific production structure, a given capacity structure, and a given variability of the MPS. We discuss various possibilities to arrive at these values.

ISSN:0020-7543    

DOI:10.1080/00207548608919788

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1986

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Most current applications of automated guided vehicle systems (AGVS) in manufacturing shop environments employ uni-directional guide-paths for vehicle routing despite the fact that bi-directional vehicles exist. In this paper comparisons and issues regarding unidirectional and bi-directional flows are presented. Also presented is a model of a bi-directional traffic flow guide-path. The effect of the traffic flow pattern on the shop throughput is demonstrated and compared to that of a uni-directional flow system of an equivalent facility. The model is implemented using computer simulation.

ISSN:0020-7543    

DOI:10.1080/00207548608919789

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1986

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

In a previous paper Dewhurst and Dale (1983) described a facility consisting of a suite of programs inmplemented on a popular microcomputer for simulating an automated non-ferrous sand casting foundry. The background to the approach, taken together with the results and conclusions from a series of experiments using this facility over a two year period, is now presented.

ISSN:0020-7543    

DOI:10.1080/00207548608919790

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1986

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

An expert system can be denned as ‘a tool which has the capability to understand problem specific knowledge and use the domain knowledge intelligently to suggest alternate paths of action’. This paper presents a structured framework for the development of an expert system. The five major aspects of expert system development are: Problem definition; knowledge acquisition, representation and coordination; inference mechanism; implementation; and learning. These aspects are illustrated through the help pf a modular robot configuration prototype expert system. Several industrial engineering applications in the areas of process planning, facilities planning, and maintenance and fault diagnosis are discussed and a comparative analysis of the different systems is presented.

ISSN:0020-7543    

DOI:10.1080/00207548608919791

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1986

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The paper deals with the experimental study of the effect of an applied electrostatic field on ultrasonic machining of glass. Cylindrical cavities are machined in glass specimens (˜ 1-3 mm thick), both without and in the presence of a field. It is found that the time required for a 0-38 mm deep cut is reduced by about 10-20% due to the presence of a field. Further, the tool penetration rate is found to increase with the penetration of the tool into the workpiece. Using the analysis of variance technique, the observed data are analysed to show that the change in the rate of machining in the two cases is not due to chance but due to the presence of the field.

ISSN:0020-7543    

DOI:10.1080/00207548608919792

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1986

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

A simulation model, driven by real order time series, of an actual make-for-stock shop is described. A broad spectrum of different sets of decision rules has been incorporated in the model in an attempt to represent as many as possible of the production controls which might be utilized by a production manager. Experiments designed to determine the impact on a production cost function of changes in decision rules can be conducted over a wide range of conditions, with the objective of assessing the robustness of rule changes.

ISSN:0020-7543    

DOI:10.1080/00207548608919793

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1986

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Positioning errors of robots used for material handling and assembly can be sufficiently large to cause problems. These errors are due to imperfect repeatability of the robots, and their effects can be ameliorated or exacerbated by tolerances on the workpieces and on the jigs and fixtures. In this paper, a model for characterizing the positioning errors of robots is developed. A statistical analysis of positioning error data is performed to make inferences about the stochastic nature of the robotic system. The basic issue is whether the positioning errors of the robot are state dependent or state invariant.

ISSN:0020-7543    

DOI:10.1080/00207548608919794

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1986

数据来源: Taylor