Automation Components Research Articles

A Mixed-Reality approach to Test Automation Function For Manufacturing Systems

The paper deals with the problem of building a test environment for MES (Manufacturing Execution System) control of manufacturing system. In the paper, the MES control layer has been developed according to agent-based technology inside the Pabadis'Promise Project. The test system is built as a user-defined combination of the real automation components and a 3D graphical simulator. For that reason, it has been named as mixed-reality simulation. The advantage is to allow the system integrator to test some control SW (SoftWare) parts in closed-loop as soon as they become available, and in parallel to proceed with the plant construction. At the beginning the test will be made in simulation, and then some virtual components will be removed and substituted by the real components as soon as they become available. The paper investigates the possibility to automatize this process, and will discuss an application of a real cell producing carter parts for motorbikes.

Hybrid Control for Robot Navigation - A Hierarchical Q-Learning Algorithm

Autonomous mobile robots have been widely studied and applied not only as a test bed to academically demonstrate the achievement of artificial intelligence but also as an essential component of industrial and home automation. Mobile robots have many potential applications in routine or dangerous tasks such as delivery of supplies in hospitals, cleaning of offices, and operations in a nuclear plant. One of the fundamental and critical research areas in mobile robotics is navigation, which generally includes local navigation and global navigation. Local navigation, often called reactive control, learns or plans the local paths using the current sensory inputs without prior complete knowledge of the environment. Global navigation, often called deliberate control, learns or plans the global paths based on a relatively abstract and complete knowledge about the environment. In this article, hybrid control architecture is conceived via combining reactive and deliberate control using a hierarchical Q-learning (HQL) algorithm.

Mechatronics, robotics and components for automation and control IFAC milestone report

This paper presents a general overview of the technological fields of mechatronic, robotic, components for automation and control. Five technical areas are considered: component and instruments, mechatronic, robotics, cost oriented automation and human-machine systems. The paper addresses their current key problems and the recent major accomplishments. At last the most promising forecasted development and applications are considered.

IEC 61499 Component Based Approach for Batch Control Systems

In process automation batch processes play a dominant role. With ISA SP88 and its IEC standard equivalent IEC 61512, there is a standard available covering the description of batch processes and plants over several hierarchical layers. For the instrumentation and automation components in all industrial systems there is a trend towards distributed solutions. The function block oriented IEC 61499 standard describes models to implement distributed control systems. In this contribution a new way to combine the concepts of SP88 for design with the models of IEC 61499 for implementation is proposed. To describe the control sequences Signal Interpreted Petri Nets (SIPN) are used to get a more formal model of the control than it is possible with the Procedure Function Chart (PFC) proposed in SP88. Based on this description basic functions for the control as well as the corresponding activation sequences are determined. The basic components are implemented by function blocks according to IEC 61499. The interconnection of the function blocks according to the required sequences is implemented using a scheduler concept. This concept allows re-configuration of the control without altering the function block diagram. Hence the proposed approach offers analyzable formal models, re-usable basic components, and easy re-configurability. The approach is illustrated using the Festo Mini Pulp Process (MPP).

Specification of a Device Interface for Service-Oriented Automation Control Components

Service-oriented paradigm is being used to develop distributed and reconfigurable control solutions for factory automation environments. Since service-oriented automation control components are logical entities that provide and consume services, they may have an interface that maps the logical processes into the actions of the representative physical mechatronics. The inter-connection with the physical hardware devices, namely accessing I/Os, is a crucial issue to achieve the vertical IT-enterprise integration in these service-oriented systems, covering the shop floor device control level. This paper describes a device interface approach, in the context of a service-oriented control architecture, in which High-level Petri nets are used as the control description to access to the physical device. The outgoing features of the solution allow integrating the physical behavior into the control of automation components and consequently thereby incorporate it in the modular service-oriented control architecture.

Automating Public Financial Management in Developing Countries

The principal recommendation to developing countries for automating their financial systems is to adopt off-the-shelf integrated financial information systems (IFMISs). The recommendation to adopt an IFMIS goes beyond a strategy of automation. IFMISs are often viewed as the driver of financial reform in developing countries. Experience shows that these systems usually fail or under perform yet research to date has not adequately explained their poor performance. This paper presents two frameworks and a case study from Ethiopia which illustrates an approach to automating financial systems that has worked. The first framework distinguishes between business process innovation (reengineering) and process change. Process innovation is a comprehensive change of procedures and organization driven by information technology. Process change is an incremental strategy driven by procedural reform and supported by information technology. Process change is far less risky than process innovation and is a more appropriate approach because the financial systems in most developing countries are relatively sound and thus provide a basis for improvement. The conventional off-the-shelf IFMIS reform is principally process innovation which exceeds the capacity of most public bureaucracies in developing countries. The second framework concerns the three factors of risk to an automation project: scope, schedule and budget. The availability of concessionary aid to many developing countries means there is not a hard budget constraint to automation projects and there is little discipline with schedule and scope. The virtual absence of a financial and social cost-benefit analysis of these large and questionable investments is a serious failing in the use of development assistance and loans. The custom IFMIS developed to support the Ethiopian reform is presented as an example of a successful low risk strategy of automation in a difficult environment. The case illustrates the two frameworks as the reform focused on process change and the automation component was delivered on budget, ahead of schedule and beyond specification. The Ethiopian case demonstrates several lessons about automation in developing countries: the virtue of process change, the role of automation to support not drive financial reform, the virtue of optimal obscurity of automation projects given that high level commitment can not be assumed, and the value of an incremental development strategy of frequent operational upgrades of information systems.

Mechatronics, robotics and components for automation and control: IFAC milestone report

This paper is devoted to the analysis of the broad technological field of mechatronics, robotics and components for automation and control systems. Several sub-fields are considered: (i) components and instruments, involving sensors, actuators, embedded systems and communications; (ii) mechatronics concepts and technologies; (iii) robotics; (iv) human–machine systems, including technical issues and social implications; and (v) cost-oriented automation which is a multidisciplinary field involving theory, technologies and application as well as economical and social issues. First current key problems in this field are considered then, the accomplishment and trends are analysed. Finally, the forecast is presented to discuss issues relevant for future developments.

Control functions design and implementation of distributed automation systems for manufacturing applications

In this paper, we present a distributed automation solution, mainly conceived for manufacturing applications, that is based on a new basic building block for a control device. Such a basic automation component incorporates many features drawn from ICT technologies, namely, service-oriented functionalities, Plug-and-Participate capabilities, Java Virtual Machine. The international standard IEC 61499 has been adopted as a device-independent specification for distributed control applications. In this way, we bring capabilities and intelligence down to the field control device level to enhance the distribution of control algorithms and autonomy inside a manufacturing plant as a key to gain real flexibility and reconfigurability of the plant itself. The results here shown are largely drawn from the European Project TORERO.

Requirements and solutions to software encapsulation and engineering in next generation manufacturing systems: OOONEIDA approach

This paper addresses the solutions enabling agile development, deployment and re-configuration of software-intensive automation systems both in discrete manufacturing and process technologies. As the key enabler for reaching the required level of flexibility of such systems, the paper discusses the issues of encapsulation, integration and re-use of the automation intellectual property (IP). The goals can be fulfilled by the use of a vendor-independent concept of a reusable portable and scalable software module (function block), as well as by a vendor-independent automation device model. This paper also discusses the requirements of the methodology for the application of such modules in the time- and cost-effective specification, design, validation, realization and deployment of intelligent mechatronic components in distributed industrial automation and control systems. A new global initiative OOONEIDA is presented, that targets these goals through the development of the automation object concept based on the recognized industrial standards IEC61131, IEC61499, IEC61804 and unified modelling language (UML); and through the creation of the technological infrastructure for a new, open-knowledge economy for automation components and automated industrial products. In particular, a web-based repository for standardized automation solutions will be developed to serve as an electronic-commerce facility in industrial automation businesses.

OOONEIDA: An Open, Object-Oriented Knowledge Economy for Intelligent Industrial Automation

Open knowledge economy in intelligent industrial automation (OOONEIDA) is a new initiative for enabling decentralized, reconfigurable industrial control and automation in discrete manufacturing and continuous process systems. The goal of the OOONEIDA project is the creation of the technological infrastructure for a new, open knowledge economy for automation components and automated industrial products. This will be done by further development of the concept of reusable portable software modules (function blocks) and by their application in the time- and cost-effective specification, design, validation, realization, and deployment of intelligent mechatronic components in distributed industrial automation and control systems.

MECHATRONICS, ROBOTICS AND COMPONENTS FOR AUTOMATION AND CONTROL IFAC CC MILESTONE REPORT

This paper is devoted to the analysis of a broad technological field of Mechatronics, Robotics and Components for automation and control systems. Several subfields are considered: i) Components and instruments, involving sensors, actuators, embedded systems and communications; ii) Mechatronics concepts and technologies; iii) Robotics; iv) Human-machine systems, including technical issues and social implications; and v) Cost-oriented automation which is a multidisciplinary field involving theory, technologies and application as well as economical and social issues. First current key problems in this field are considered then, the accomplishment and trends are analysed. Finally, the forecast is presented.

Development of an integrated environment for the reengineering of public sector e-government system processes

This paper describes a case study-based research project in a North Wales Social Services department, aiming at transforming the core business processes from manual paper-based systems to transparent web-based applications. There is an emphasis on the structured approach used when developing the portal prototype, which incorporated a business process automation component with a view of meeting the e-government agenda. This paper reviews current systems used in the public sector and proposes the development of an e-government system supporting an integrated environment. The proposed system leverages on the internet to provide portable systems based on data transparency and process integration through portal technologies.

A model of attentional impairments in autism: first steps toward a computational theory

A computational model with three interacting components for context sensitive reinforcement learning, context processing and automation can autonomously learn a focus attention and a shift attention task. The performance of the model is similar to that of normal children, and when a single parameter is changed, the performance on the two tasks approaches that of autistic children.

Ten Challenges for Making Automation a "Team Player" in Joint Human-Agent Activity

We propose 10 challenges for making automation components into effective team players when they interact with people in significant ways. Our analysis is based on some of the principles of human-centered computing that we have developed individually and jointly over the years, and is adapted from a more comprehensive examination of common ground and coordination.

A quality self‐assessment model

This paper expands upon previous work by the authors in which an unique, non‐subjective, quantitative model was developed that could be used to indicate the presence and evaluate the effectiveness of a total quality management programme in manufacturing organisations. That model was proven to be not only an indicator of TQ performance but also a predictor of general business performance. By incorporating an automation component using information technology and DBMS, the enhanced model developed in this paper integrates technology into the prior model. This increases the ease and speed with which the companies can conduct a self‐assessment of their TQ programmes. Accordingly, the finished product provides an improved tool for evaluating TQ, resulting in a more effective strategic decision‐making.

An automated Thixo‐Forging Plant for Steel Parts

The scope of the article is to describe the automated production of a thixoformed steel part. The production plant was set up within a prototype initiative at the Institute of Metal Forming in cooperation with the Institute of Automatic Control of RWTH Aachen University and industrial partners. Preliminary experiments showed that the quality of the formed parts varied to a great extent due to changing production conditions since the handling of the billet was carried out manually. To eliminate the possible disturbances introduced by the manual handling of the billet, an automation concept has been elaborated in order to guarantee a defined production environment. An industrial robot (KUKA) fulfils the handling tasks like the feeding of the induction coil with the feedstock material and the placing of the heated billet into the hydraulic press. The removal of the formed part from the press is realised by a simple mechanical device in order to be able to use only one gripper. The design of the gripper ensures a minimal heat loss during handling. The induction coil, the gripper system and the cavity are flooded with inert gas in order to prevent scaling. The sequence control for the production of a part is realised on the controller of the robot which provides sufficient PLC functionality and can be easily equipped with the required I/O components to trigger the different automation components.

Creation of a Knowledge Economy for Intelligent Industrial Automation: OOONEIDA Community in IMS

OOONEIDA is a new initiative for enabling decentralized, re-configurable industrial control and automation in discrete manufacturing and continuous process systems. The goal of the OOONEIDA is the creation of the technological infrastructure for a new, open knowledge economy for automation components and automated industrial products. This will be done by further development of the concept of reusable portable software modules (function blocks), and by their application in the time- and cost-effective specification, design, validation, realization and deployment of intelligent mechatronic components in distributed industrial automation and control systems.

Towards Complete Automation of Mammalian Cell Culture Perfusion Processes

We have developed a framework that is capable of providing complete automation of mammalian cell perfusion processes. This framework includes an expert system that provides low-level control of the process based on data obtained from online and offline sensors and maintains system integrity by checking for failure and taking thenecessary corrective action. In addition, it can also make several high level decisions such as switching operating modes during the perfusion process based on an extensive knowledge database of the process. The capabilities of the expert system can be considerably enhanced through the generation or high quality process data in real time. One such approach we have taken is the real-time computation of specific rates and metabolic fluxes resulting in a physiological state vector of high information content. We have also developed an in-situ microscope for reliable in-situ monitoring of the cell density, one of the most critical parameters for perfusion process control. These advances enable advanced and intelligent control of the perfusion process. The other component of process automation includes applications such as bioreactor sampling and subsequent sample manipulations. To achieve this objective, a prototype of a robotic system was developed that is able to draw samples from the bioreactor and perform certain offline operations with the sample

High density peptide microarrays. In situ synthesis and applications.

The technologies enabling the creation of large scale, miniaturized peptide or protein microarrays are emerging. The focuses of this review are the synthesis and applications of peptide and peptidomimetic microarrays, especially the light directed parallel synthesis of individually addressable high density peptide microarrays using a novel photogenerated reagent chemistry and digital photolithography (Gao et al., 1998, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120, 12698; Pellois et al. 2002, Nat. Biotechnol. 20, 922). Concepts related to the synthesis are discussed, such as the reactions of photogenerated acids in the deprotection step of peptide synthesis or oligonucleotide synthesis, and the applications of high density peptide chips in antibody binding assays are discussed. Peptide chips provide versatile tools for probing antigen-antibody, protein-protein, peptide-ligand interactions and are basic components for miniaturization, automation, and system integration in research and clinical diagnosis applications.

Control of Lifting Desired Number of Steel Plates and Automatic Crane Operation.

This paper presents an automation scheme for an overhead magnet crane that is a critical component of thick steel plate storage yard automation. First, the load cells and magnetic flux sensors are introduced to detect the number of steel plates lifted using the magnet crane. Then a voltage control algorithm to lift the ordered number of steel plates is proposed and implemented by using the on-line tuning look-up table. Finally, the overall hardware and software description for automatic crane operation is presented. The results have been successfully implemented in POSCO's No. 2 thick steel plate storage yard.