Flexibility In Production Processes Research Articles

Traditional adhesive production systems in Zambia and their archaeological implications

This study explores traditional adhesives using an ethnobiological approach within a multisocioecological context in Zambia. Through semi-structured interviews, videotaped demonstrations, and herbarium collections, we investigated the traditional adhesives people know and use, the flexibility of production processes, resource usage, and knowledge transmission in adhesive production. Our findings reveal flexibility in adhesive production systems. People use a wide range of organic and inorganic materials in their adhesive recipes. Recipes are flexible, demonstrating the ability to adapt to changes and substitute materials as needed to achieve the desired end product. Additionally, our study reveals a variety of redundant pathways for knowledge transmission typically confined within individual population groups. These include same-sex vertical transmission and distinct learning spaces and processes. Also, we identified material procurement zones showing that people are prepared to travel 70 km for ingredients. We use our findings to review the archaeology and we discuss the identification of archaeological adhesives, the functional roles of adhesive materials, adhesive storage, and the sustained human interaction with species from families such as Euphorbiaceae and Apiade. Our findings underscore the diversity and adaptability of traditional adhesive production and suggest that further research on adhesives would reveal similar diversity within the archaeological record.

Robot Operating System 2 (ROS2)-Based Frameworks for Increasing Robot Autonomy: A Survey

Future challenges in manufacturing will require automation systems with robots that are increasingly autonomous, flexible, and hopefully equipped with learning capabilities. The flexibility of production processes can be increased by using a combination of a flexible human worker and intelligent automation systems. The adoption of middleware software such as ROS2, the second generation of the Robot Operating System, can enable robots, automation systems, and humans to work together on tasks that require greater autonomy and flexibility. This paper has a twofold objective. Firstly, it provides an extensive review of existing literature on the features and tools currently provided by ROS2 and its main fields of application, in order to highlight the enabling aspects for the implementation of modular architectures to increase autonomy in industrial operations. Secondly, it shows how this is currently potentially feasible in ROS2 by proposing a possible high-level and modular architecture to increase autonomy in industrial operations. A proof of concept is also provided, where the ROS2-based framework is used to enable a cobot equipped with an external depth camera to perform a flexible pick-and-place task.

From Lab to Pilot Scale: Commissioning of an Integrated Device for the Generation of Crystals

AbstractFast time‐to‐market, increased efficiency, and flexibility of production processes are major motivators for the development of integrated, continuous apparatuses with short changeover times. Following this trend, the modular belt crystallizer was developed and characterized in lab scale with the model system sucrose‐water. Based on the promising results, the plant concept was upscaled and commissioned in industrial environment. The results are presented within the scope of this work. Starting from small seed crystals in solution, it was possible to grow, separate, and dry product particles. Further, the conducted experiments demonstrated that it is feasible to transfer the results from laboratory to pilot scale, which in turn enables accelerated process design as well as development.

Evaluation of 5G Edge and Cloud Computing for Data Processing in Visual Referencing of Mobile Robot Manipulators

To fit the requirements of growing flexibility in production processes, intralogistics is increasingly automated, for example, by Mobile Robot Manipulators, which can transport material and perform assembly tasks. However, these transport systems have limited battery capacity and recharging involves occasional downtime. New approaches, such as Edge Computing, offer transport systems to offload intensive computational processes, e.g., for path planning or AI-based image analysis, and thus saving precious energy resources. However, since offloading such processes onto a server is tied to high security and transmission requirements, using 5G for communication might be an attractive solution. Therefore, an exemplary referencing use case of a Mobile Robot Manipulator is presented and the 5G based communication with two cloud servers and one edge server is examined. Our experimental results show that with a mean transmission time of 540 milliseconds Edge Computing facilitates both faster and more stable data transmission compared to Cloud Computing with a mean transmission time of 1,973 milliseconds. This has a significant impact on industrial processes whose efficiency and productivity depend on the quality of data transfer.

Evaluation system of the efficiency of digital technologies of an enterprise

Digital technologies are fundamental in realizing digital transformation and increasing the efficiency and flexibility of production processes. Thus, this article considers a model for assessing the economic efficiency of digital technologies intended for small and medium-sized enterprises. To evaluate the effectiveness, various types of costs for the introduction of digital technologies were identified and systematized. Benefits from the use of digital technologies were highlighted, rules for quantifying qualitative indicators were proposed. Various prerequisites for the development of digitalization in different areas of the energy industry are considered.

Non-invasive embedded system hardware/firmware anomaly detection based on the electric current signature

Quality control is a critical aspect of the modern electronic circuit industry. In addition to being a pre-requisite to proper functioning, circuit quality is closely related to safety, security, and economic issues. Quality control has been reached through system testing. Meanwhile, device miniaturization and multilayer Printed Circuit Boards have increased the electronic circuit test complexity considerably. Hence, traditional test processes based on manual inspections have become outdated and inefficient. More recently, the concept of Advanced Manufacturing or Industry 4.0 has enabled the manufacturing of customized products, tailored to the changing customers’ demands. This scenario points out additional requirements for electronic system testing: it demands a high degree of flexibility in production processes, short design and manufacturing cycles, and cost control. Thus, there is a demand for circuit testing systems that present effectiveness and accessibility without placing numerous test points. This work is focused on automated test solutions based on machine learning, which are becoming popular with advances in computational tools. We present a new testing approach that uses autoencoders to detect firmware or hardware anomalies based on the electric current signature. We built a test set-up using an embedded system development board to evaluate the proposed approach. We implemented six firmware versions that can run independently on the test board – one of them is considered anomaly-free. In order to obtain a reference frame to our results, two other classification techniques (a computer vision algorithm and a random forest classification model) were employed to detect anomalies on the same development board. The outcomes of the experiments demonstrated that the proposed test method is highly effective. For several test scenarios, the correct detection rate was above 99%. Test results showed that autoencoder and random forest approaches are effective. However, random forests require all data classes to be trained. Training an autoencoder, on the other hand, only requires the reference (anomaly-free) class.

Designing and Developing a Smart Yogurt Filling Machine in the Industry 4.0 Era

Industry 4.0 allows for greater flexibility in production processes so that products can be customized (i.e., mass customization). Innovative production techniques in an industrial liquid/yogurt filling machine (YFM) improved efficiency in the beverage industry. In this study, we have introduced the second phase designed control architecture of our YFM based on the concepts of industry 4.0 incorporating an NFC platform for improving customer satisfaction. Especially during this pandemic period, wireless technologies have been ubiquitous and pervasive for customized products. The basic components of the YFM have been described. High-level control architecture programmed fully automated filling operations, and the design stage of the development of a PFC-based controller for the YFM is elaborated. For the evaluation of the proposed control system, the operations of the electric/pneumatic input devices and actuators were simulated on FluidSIM-MecLab. The results of the simulation verify the design logic of the PFC-based controller. Comparisons were made between different production types using the developing YFM. A complex learning environment replicating a real production system to understand, learn, and apply modern manufacturing approaches has been developed. Through the creation of this YFM, the academic environment and industrial applications are combined. Consequently, the problem verification is becoming more realistic and more efficient than online (trial and error) automation programming.

X‐ray sterilization of biopharmaceutical manufacturing equipment—Extractables profile of a film material and copolyester Tritan™ compared to gamma irradiation

The biopharmaceutical industry gains enormous flexibility in production processes by using sterilized preassembled single‐use devices. Gamma irradiation is an established sterilization technology that may be restricted in the future by the availability of 60Co as irradiation source and irradiation capacities. X‐ray technology is considered an alternative type of radiation for sterilizing SU equipment. In the context of extractables and leachables—one concern connected with the use of single‐use process equipment—the effect of X‐ray irradiation on the extractables profile of the materials needs to be compared to established gamma irradiation to qualify this alternative technology. An approach is presented to obtain robust and comprehensive extractables data for materials used in SU devices after sterilization either using X‐ray or gamma irradiation. A careful selection of the test items and the test design allows a one‐to‐one comparison of data obtained from a combination of orthogonal analytical techniques. The extractables of a modern SU film material and the copolyester Tritan™ are evaluated. The data presented allow a risk evaluation on the safety of this new sterilization modality for biopharmaceutical applications. It is demonstrated that the extractables profile of a polymer is not affected by the type of irradiation used for sterilization.

Smart circular product design strategies towards eco-effective production systems: A lean eco-design industry 4.0 framework

For industrial enterprises, the transformation to circular business models can be curbed both by operational tools and the lack of relevant data. Lean thinking has offered great flexibility in production processes and systems by challenging mass production practices, resulting in more “Lean” products with less waste. Lean design and Eco-design, associated with Industry 4.0 technologies, can be an efficient structured and methodological approach in developing products based on the circular economy strategies. Indeed, decisions made during the product design stage can significantly impact the sustainability of products throughout their life cycle. Hence, lean design combined with eco-design and Industry 4.0 represents an innovative model to include sustainability throughout the product life cycle. This paper explores the relationship between lean eco-design and I4.0 strategies for designing eco-efficient products based on a literature review. The proposed framework is based on the synergic use of Lean design, Eco-design, and Industry 4.0. It offers the right formula to deliver better and cleaner products using appropriate processes to support manufacturers in designing products, fulfilling customers' needs and expectations. It provides scholars, designers, and managers with valuable insights into deploying strategies to design sustainable products.

El sector agrario uruguayo Trabajadores transitorios y vulnerabilidad social

The demand for work in the agricultural sector is determined by a seasonal labor requirement, deepened by the flexibility of production processes and forms of recruitment. This creates a growing quota of workers, which has no chance of fully employing the sector during the annual working cycle. The article presents a conceptualization of transitional work in the agricultural sector, and shows the relevance of the social vulnerability approach to analyze the living and working conditions of this group. Then operationalizes the concept of labor transience, outlines the findings of the research and shows the need for social visibility of this group.

A design methodology for modular processes orchestration

Industry 4.0 is characterized by increased flexibility of production processes, a level of customization, a level of automation, smart manufacturing execution, and overall optimized production processes. Despite global competition, flexibility is a differentiation strategy applied by manufacturers to remain competitive. By incorporating flexibility in the manufacturing process of their products, enterprises can adapt faster to the demands. Enterprises need cost-effective, intuitive solutions to benefit from Industry 4.0 involving minimal efforts and integration costs. This study presents a new approach increasing the flexibility of manufacturing operations including robot trajectory, processing, and quality control. The results are tested in an industrial platform 4.0 installed in the laboratory. Our approach is to transform a rigid production system into an agile production system. For this, we break down the manufacturing process and reorganize it by programming core modules while maintaining the existing control structure but upgrading its programmable function to the Manufacturing Execution System Layer. Thus, the production manager can use the developed modules connected by flows to orchestrate a new production plan in a short time compared with the traditional approach.

Concept of a Flexible Wetted‐Wall Column for the Distillation of Specialty Chemicals

AbstractThe trend of increasing product diversity and decreasing production amounts led to the requirement of higher flexibility of production processes of specialty chemicals. Conventional distillation columns, mostly equipped with structured packings, lack the flexibility to handle product changeovers and throughput. Thus, a newly designed distillation column for specialty chemicals is presented. A numerical model was implemented to analyze the potential of the wetted‐wall column. The simulation of the distillation of a binary methanol/water mixture demonstrated that the wetted‐wall column can generate the desired concentration and temperature profiles. Furthermore, analyses of the pressure drop and separation efficiency with the test system chlorobenzene/ethylbenzene were conducted.

Problems of Organizing Changes in the Management of Enterprises Implementing Technologies According to Concept “Industry 4.0”

Purpose: The aim of the paper was to present the results of the discussion on the threats generated by innovative information and cognitive technologies for the purposes of socially responsible design and development of organization and management systems. Design/Methodology/Approach: The sense of implementing information and cognitive technologies in modern enterprises was justified. Research reports were presented, which made it possible to formulate the effects of implementing these technologies include, first, striving to minimize companies’ unit costs. It was justified that the main barriers to the implementation of those technologies, apart from the necessity to invest high financial resources, are the low level of necessary support from the management of enterprises. Findings: As a result of the discussion, it was stated that the guiding principle for rational changes in enterprises in which information and cognitive technologies are implemented may be the assumptions and principles of the SMART Organization model. The company's strategy, which is created, developed and disseminated among employees in the organization, are managers – leaders. It is a strategy which in its characteristics is a strategy called entrepreneurial strategy. Positive Organization Theory, which is a platform for a system of moral and organizational values in an enterprise, is a platform for a new organizational culture as well as the principles and application of management instruments. Practical Implications: In sectors such as health, banking and education, information and cognitive technologies significantly enhance their positive functions. In industrial organizations, the functions that contribute to the increase in the efficiency of mass production and the increase in the flexibility of production processes for individual customer needs are verified. The criteria for applying the technologies that have been called the Industry 4.0 revolution will be rethought. Originality/value: The paper presents an in-depth discussion of the threats generated by innovative information and cognitive technologies for the socially responsible design and development of organization and management systems in enterprises.

Manufacturing operational management modeling using interpreted Petri nets

Abstract: The dynamics of the interaction between different levels in production system is the study of many research groups to seek a better understanding of the complex nature of such systems to propose an effective and efficiency from rational use of available resources and required inputs. Demand for products increasingly customized by a dynamic and competitive market has reduced considerably the life cycle of such products and flexibility of production processes has become essential for companies. Flexibility is not only one attribute, but a set of attributes that provides the flexibility for production systems. The interactions between the flexible sub-systems are sources of waste and rework, causing high costs in the production process. In this sense, the concept of Lean Manufacturing has promoted a restructuring of some processes of the MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), responsible for managing the activities of production, integrate data from the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and synchronize production tasks the flow of materials, making them oriented by the demand. One other important aspect in the industrial context is the new future vision promoted by Industry 4.0 paradigm that is envisioned a complete decentralization of control of the production system by autonomous and intelligent devices interconnected by a communication system, that contribute to the global goals of the enterprise. The ANSI/ISA S95 presents a conceptual model that may contribute to the implementation of the industry 4.0 concept. The objective of this study is to present a proposal for modeling of objects in level 3 of the S95 standard using interpreted Petri nets.

Methodical Approach to Activation of Technical and Technological Component of Enterprise Innovation in the Conditions of Digital Transformation of Socio-Economic Systems

Methodical Approach to Activation of Technical and Technological Component of Enterprise Innovation in the Conditions of Digital Transformation of Socio-Economic Systems

Labour flexibility practices in Dutch SMEs

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) cope with the need for labour flexibility. Most previous studies ignore the labour flexibility practices of SMEs, especially in times of economic growth and tight labour markets.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study approach is applied, with ten Dutch SMEs located in one small province with a similar labour market. A survey was executed as an intake, followed by 48 interviews with the entrepreneurs, HR and other managers and employees, and two focus groups in each company. The findings are based on an analysis of the approved case descriptions.FindingsSMEs, like big companies, do not rely on one flexibility practice. Volume fluctuations are countered with all flexibility strategies, the mix fluctuations and the product innovations are mostly countered with flexible functions and flexible production technology. In general, the data suggest that flexibility strategies of SMEs can be characterised as ad hoc, reactive and with a short-term orientation.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should include other sectors and regions enabling to generalise the findings. Future research should have a longitudinal design to include the pathway dependencies of flexibility practices.Practical implicationsThis study identifies the need to analyse flexibility demands; reduce flexibility demands before investments in flexibility practices; create production process flexibility; invest in labour flexibility practices only after the first three steps are taken; and develop basic and more advanced levels of flexible contracts, flexible functions and flexible working times.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the authors’ knowledge on the use of labour flexibility practices in SMEs. In addition, it brings empirical data on how these labour flexibility practices relate to the needs for flexibility and how they relate to other sources of organisational flexibility, such as a flexible market approach and flexible production technologies. Dynamic capabilities should include the suggested operationalisation of the flexibility practices.

Influences of supply chain finance on the mass customization program: risk attitudes and cash flow shortage

AbstractIn recent years, to satisfy diversified customer needs in the target market, an increasing number of brands have launched mass customization (MC) programs as one of their core operations strategies. The production process flexibility and personalization degree of customized products (i.e., the MC products) have thus become key to the success of MC schemes. In the meantime, however, considering the high market uncertainty in consumer preferences and the challenges from the production process, there are plenty of risks in MC operations. Hence, in this paper we develop a game‐theoretic model consisting of an MC brand and an upstream manufacturer to identify the influences of supply chain finance (SCF) on MC programs. The influences brought by the risk attitudes of both MC brand and manufacturer are analyzed. Besides, an extra interest rate for raising the working capital for production (e.g., from the bank) at the manufacturing level is also considered in this paper to address the impact of cash flow shortage. We find that when the positive sensitivity of the market demand with respect to the modularity level of the MC product is sufficiently high, the optimal product modularity level of the MC product increases with the MC brand's degree of risk averse. In addition, it can also be observed that when both the market demand's positive sensitivity to the modularity level of the MC product and the MC brand's opportunity cost rate for placing the advance order are sufficiently high, any increase in the risk‐averse degree of the MC brand or the manufacturer will lower the manufacturer's optimal wholesale price of the MC product as well as the MC brand's optimal rate of the advance order. Furthermore, the higher the interest that the manufacturer needs to pay (such as to the bank) for raising the working capital for the MC production process, the lower the optimal wholesale price of each finished MC product will be to help the manufacturer raise more money through the advance order placed by the MC brand. These observations complete the findings in the extant literature and provide important managerial insights into managing MC operations.

리쇼어링의 결정요인과 정책 효과성 연구 (Determinants of Reshoring and Effectiveness of Reshoring Policies)

Korean Abstract: 본 연구는 리쇼어링의 배경을 살펴본 후 리쇼어링 지원정책에 대한 효과성을 점검하고 이로부터 정책적 시사점을 도출하기 위해 여러 각도에서 리쇼어링을 연구하였다. 리쇼어링의 학술적 정의를 바탕으로 활용 가능한 통계를 이용해 국내 리쇼어링의 가능성을 예측하고 모형을 통해 리쇼어링 정책의 효과성을 검토하였다. 또한 한국을 비롯하여 미국, 유럽, 대만의 리쇼어링 현황과 정책을 비교 및 분석하였다. 본 연구의 분석 결과는 리쇼어링 현상 및 배경에 대한 이해의 폭을 넓히고, 리쇼어링 정책의 효율적인 설계를 위한 토대로 활용될 것으로 기대된다. English Abstract: Following the global financial crisis, some advanced countries recognized that the manufacturing sectors play an important role in mitigating the negative effects of the economic crisis. Also, as there has been some indication of firms bringing back manufacturing activities back to their home countries in recent years, reshoring has received broad attention by policy makers in advanced coutnries such as U.S. and Europe. Firms once offshored are relocating production back to the home country as production costs have significantly increased in emerging countries, and as they encounter a variety of difficulties such as low quality of products and low flexibility in production processes. The Korean government announced reshoring policies which provide reshoring firms with tax or subsidy incentives in December 2013. However, the policies appeared to be ineffective because only a very limited number of firms chose to reverse their previous offshoring decisions, leading to the concern that only a small number of firms are realizing the benefit of the reshoring policies. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the background of reshoring and effectiveness of reshoring policies from various angles. First of all, this study examines the definition of reshoring used in the literature and compares this with the concept of reshoring used in the media or policies. In addition, we infer the possibility of reshoring based on Korean firm data and develop a model to study the effectiveness of the reshoring policies. Lastly, we study reshoring trends and policies for Korea, U.S., Europe, and Taiwan to provide policy implications.

Flexibility Options for Absorption and Distillation to Adapt to Raw Material Supply and Product Demand Uncertainties: A Review

The chemical industry has to deal with increasing uncertainties regarding the boundary conditions of their production processes. On the one hand, uncertainties affect the availability, quality, and prizes of raw material and energy. On the other hand, the demand side is affected by increasing volatilities in product demand and increasing requirements for product variety. These changing boundary conditions lead to higher needs for flexibility in production processes of the chemical industry. Within this article technical solutions for an enhancement of different forms of flexibility are presented for production concepts and apparatus concepts, respectively. The latter focuses on unit operations for the separation of gas–liquid mixtures. This includes a review regarding transformable, modular production processes and a classification of their field of application. Additionally, concepts for named unit operations on different scales are presented and discussed. The presented concepts are also classified with respect to the different types of flexibility.

Mass Personalization with Industry 4.0 by SMEs: a concept for collaborative networks

Abstract Industry 4.0 (I4.0) increases flexibility of production processes to fabricate products with a level of customization that resembles the era of crafts manufacturing. Despite global competition, personalization is a differentiation strategy applied by manufacturers to remain distinctive. By incorporating personalized products next to their core products, Small-, and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) can respond to the demand for personalized products where individualization adds value. Yet, personalization comes along with high variation due to small series, or even individually unique products. To cope with this variation, SMEs need cost-effective, intuitive solutions to benefit from I4.0 involving minimal efforts. This study presents a concept increasing the capacities of SMEs to capitalize on mass personalization via a collaborative network.