Production Line System Research Articles

Supervisory Control for Dynamic Feature Configuration in Product Lines

In this paper a framework for engineering supervisory controllers for product lines with dynamic feature configuration is proposed. The variability in valid configurations is described by a feature model. Behavior of system components is achieved using (extended) finite automata and both behavioral and dynamic configuration constraints are expressed by means of requirements as is common in supervisory control theory. Supervisory controller synthesis is applied to compute a behavioral model in which the requirements are adhered to. For the challenges that arise in this setting, multiple solutions are discussed. The solutions are exemplified in the CIF toolset using a model of a coffee machine. A use case of the much larger Body Comfort System product line is performed to showcase feasibility for industrial-sized systems.

Automated program repair for variability bugs in software product line systems

Automated program repair for variability bugs in software product line systems

Analysis and development of smart production and distribution line system in smart grid based on optimization techniques involving digital twin

The term Digital Twin (DT) is defined as the virtual demonstration of an object that is represented through real-time datasets. DT is done through artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making techniques. DT includes the process of simulation, amalgamation, observation, analysis, and conservation. The DT is simply the exact reproduction of the physical structures. DT is used in the identification and evaluation of problems through real-time analysis. It is important to have prior analysis and evaluation of the object before existing in the real world. These digital twins help in the manufacturing and implementation of the production line system. DT includes the production line with the station division and the hours needed for the operating conditions for the assembly process. The systems are integrated to reduce the overall cost parameter. The physical simulation model is employed to obtain higher performance with reduced cost. An artificial neural network with a genetic algorithm is used for the optimization process to achieve a production line system using digital twins.

A Configuration Management Strategy for Modelbased Product Line Engineering in Aircraft Systems Development

AbstractAircraft systems development is complex and time‐consuming. Model‐based Product Line Engineering (MBPLE) aims to reuse assets between projects to accelerate the development of systems at their early stage. Despite guidance from standards, MBPLE practitioners still face the challenge of deploying an appropriate configuration management strategy. This paper presents and demonstrates a configuration management strategy to support practitioners deploying MBPLE for aircraft systems development. We developed this strategy to comply with ISO/IEC 26580 and address pending standard ambiguities using best practices from product lines for systems, software, business processes, and systems of systems. The proposed strategy supports long‐term product line evolution, management of different asset types, and independent product environments.

Design of Data Monitoring System for Intelligent Production Line System Based on Digital Twin

<p>This article establishes a digital twin model for automated production lines. By establishing a more complete digital model, it achieves comprehensive reproduction of the production line, and then extracts and maps data from various production modules in the digital twin to ensure real-time data. In the software development phase, data analysis is conducted on the production and processing process to achieve prediction and management of production. Finally, based on the established digital twin, online simulation virtual debugging can be achieved when flexibly changing production goals, thereby saving production cycles and costs. Therefore, the digital twin platform established in this article has practical significance.</p> <p> </p>

The IAI Robot Control System in Researching Phone Speaker Production Lines

This article presents research on the IAI Robot control system in a phone speaker production line being operated in Vietnam. In assembly and handling technology, electric actuators are used for linear, rotary, or clamping movements. Single-axis IAI robots become flexible when paired together. IAI robots (Intelligent Actuators) meet significantly high requirements in terms of payload, speed, and travel length. The IAI Robot's control program is programmed on Keyence PLC and uses expansion modules to ensure the IAI Robot's stable operation, high accuracy, and fast processing speed. The results of research, construction, and direct experiments at the factory show that the system operates stably with high accuracy.

Criterion to evaluate the convenience of implementing evaporative precooling in air-cooled chillers

This study presents a criterion to determine if local conditions of meteorology and the cost of energy and water favor the use of evaporative precooling in air-cooled chillers. It has been found that when the energy saved per unit of water consumed is higher than the ratio between the cost of water and electricity, it is economically attractive to operate the chiller with evaporative precooling. Furthermore, we found that the energy savings are proportional to the annual average wet-bulb depression (AWBD) temperature. As a case study, we tested this criterion by comparing it with results of monitoring every ten minutes and for more than five months, the operation of a frequently used chiller (82 RT) working in northern Mexico. Considering the past six years of hourly meteorological conditions of this region, we found that, on average, 4.4% of the annual energy consumption can be saved by evaporative precooling. That saving could be up to 23% at some hours of the year. These results represent a potential saving of 35.7 MWh/year. However, it requires the use of 1,759 m3/year of water to moisten the air. Considering the current water and energy prices in the study region, the evaporative precooling represents a saving of USD 2,704/year. This monetary saving is relevant considering that many companies and buildings use tens of these chillers in their production line or air conditioning systems.

Improving Analysis of Risk-Based Maintenance Management Strategies Through Reliability Centered Maintenance. Case Study : Coal Crushing Plant. Central Kalimantan. Indonesia

PT XYZ as a company operating in the coal mining sector has 7 production lines on the in-loading system in its coal crushing plant. In-loading system production line no. 7 is the system that has the lowest mechanical availability, therefore it is necessary to search for a systematic method to obtain an appropriate maintenance mode and not only consider operational aspects but also pay attention to occupational health & safety aspects. RCM is a qualitative analysis (which can be developed into quantitative analysis) which formulates maintenance task selection based on safety, environmental and operational considerations. From the results of the FMEA research, it was found that there were 28 failure modes with 6 components of which had an unacceptable risk level and a critical level of "very critical" so that LTA analysis was carried out on these 6 components and obtained maintenance tasks for each component, namely scheduled on condition tasks (HPU pump, Drag Chain, Hydraulic Pipe) and redesign (Flight bar, Flap Plate).

Preface for the special issue on tool papers of the 25th International Systems and Software Product Line Conference (SPLC 2021)

Preface for the special issue on tool papers of the 25th International Systems and Software Product Line Conference (SPLC 2021)

Optimization of Flexible Manufacturing Production Line System Based on Digital Twin

Optimization of Flexible Manufacturing Production Line System Based on Digital Twin

TOWARDS A CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT INTEGRATION TO FEATURE MODELS IN MODEL-BASED PRODUCT LINE ENGINEERING

AbstractIn parallel with the industry 4.0 revolution, customers’ demand and number of product requirements are increasing, inducing increased product variability. System complexity is growing with the new technologies and system architectures. Hence, maintaining a system consistent and in the desired state becomes crucial. This paper tackles two problems: a product's variability and its temporal evolution. Regarding variability, Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods and Product Line Engineering (PLE) techniques become essential to configuring products by selecting and arranging features in a combination. In parallel, versioning and temporal evolution are managed with the configuration management (CM) principles. A versioned feature model (FM) is proposed. In PLE methodology, the first step is to model variability through traditional FM. This research presents an extension of the FM by integrating CM into it. The versioned FM includes not only features’ variants but also their versions, making it evolve in time. This work is presented as a base for a work that will study the application of CM for PLE. This study is done in an automotive industry context at Renault Group, and the model proposed is applied to Renault's systems.

Line Balancing Method As An Effort To Improve Cable Production In Pt Kmi Wire And Cable Production Management

Write Line Inner Sheating at PT. KMI Wire and Cable has idle time due to processing time on Unbalanced work stations sometimes cause stop lines. Fromcalculations it is known that the cycle time gap / cycle time obtained is as big as 109.2 seconds and the figure is taken based on the biggest time from 6 stations existing work. The author intends to examine the causes of its occurrence processing time delays that occur on the Inner Sheating line and deliver give suggestions for future improvements. This research uses line balancing method and production system layouts. Among them is looking for the cycle time at the 6 largest stations as a reference in determining the next calculation, calculating the company's capacity, determining the efficiency of the machine, calculating the number of machines, adding the number of machines and additional floor area. Data is taken from field observations and records. The author uses two methods, namely the line balancing method and the system method production layout. he line balancing method and production layout system that has been carried out can be causing it to be able to meet market demand of 17,688 coils / month with the addition of machines / work stations, the required floor area is 14 m² with details, 7 m² at the Inner Sheat workstation and 7m² at the Outer Sheat station.

Inconsistent and Incomplete Datasheet: The Case for Systematic Use of Requirement Engineering

ABSTRACTThe lifecycle of a system is extended from its early conception to its retirement of service. The lifespan of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) can be expected to last over 50 years in the defense market. In this context, the rising complexity of UGV systems imposes engineering steps that would ensure both capabilities of the system and resilience to its future inclusion in a system‐of system context. During its operational usage, the UGV is supposed to be maneuvered for specifically designed purposes following user manual datasheet of the components off‐the‐shelf (COTS) that were integrated. This paper exposes the public user datasheet relevance compared to the system engineering requirements that are the artifacts of system design architecture. The use of connecting COTS user manual to system requirements is discussed, all the more if the systems are to be re‐used in a system production line. This article is intended to explore system of system conception methods for future robotized battlefield.

Research on Fast Homing Method in Automatic Production Line

Homing is a particularly important step to establish the equipment coordinate origin. A reliable method of fast homing based on the PLC system in the automatic production line is discussed, which obtains the position information of each motion axis through Modbus or other networks, and cooperates with PLC’s Homing instruction to static home quickly to avoid complex operations. And the function of returning to the breakpoint in the middle process is proposed, which makes it easy to resume production in the event of power failure or overload, and greatly improves production efficiency. And the above research is transformed into a practical system, which has been verified and has the value of promotion.

The Optimization of Working Time for a Consecutively Connected Production Line

Most factory production processes are completed by machines and workers on production lines. The operation schedule is arranged to reduce the cost of the enterprises to obtain the maximum economic profit for sustainable running. Previous studies usually investigated the working time while only considering the workers’ conditions. This study proposed a method to optimize the operation schedule by jointly considering the workers’ fatigue states and the operation states of machines. This method was proposed based on a system structure called the multistate consecutively connected system (MCCS), which has been widely applied in many areas, such as electronic communications. This structure is also an analogy of the production line. The corresponding model is constructed based on the universal generating function (UGF) since it is a powerful tool in modeling a consecutively connected system. The proposed model can be used to evaluate the different productivities of different types of workers in different states and to realize the screening of the whole scheme through simulation. According to the proposed method, we obtained the optimal operation schedule, including the working time, rest time and allocation strategy for a production line system. Some examples are provided to illustrate the proposed method.

Detecting false-passing products and mitigating their impact on variability fault localization in software product lines

In a Software Product Line (SPL) system, variability bugs can cause failures in certain products (buggy products), not in the others. In practice, variability bugs are not always exposed, and buggy products can still pass all the tests due to their ineffective test suites (so-called false-passing products). The misleading indications caused by those false-passing products’ test results can negatively impact variability fault localization performance. In this paper, we introduce Clap, a novel approach to detect false-passing products in SPL systems failed by variability bugs. Our key idea is that given a set of tested products of an SPL system, we collect failure indications in failing products based on their implementation and test quality. For a passing product, we evaluate these indications, and the stronger indications, the more likely the product is false-passing. Specifically, the possibility of the product to be false-passing is evaluated based on if it has a large number of the statements which are highly suspicious in the failing products, and if its test suite is in lower quality compared to the failing products’ test suites. We conducted several experiments to evaluate our false-passing product detection approach on a large benchmark of 14,191 false-passing products and 22,555 true-passing products in 823 buggy versions of the existing SPL systems. The experimental results show that Clap can effectively detect false-passing and true-passing products with the average accuracy of more than 90%. Especially, the precision of false-passing product detection by Clap is up to 96%. This means, among 10 products predicted as false-passing products, more than 9 products are precisely detected. Furthermore, we propose two simple and effective methods to mitigate the negative impact of false-passing products on variability fault localization. These methods can improve the performance of the state-of-the-art variability fault localization techniques by up to 34%.

Research on Uniform of Cross-Section Performance about H-Beams after Ultra-Fast Cooling

Using software, the analysis of temperature field of H-beams after ultra-fast cooling and air cooling was made. On the basis of numerical computation result of temperature distribution. The surface temperature of web and flange dropped to 420°C after UFC, while the other, that of R corner was 400°C. The center temperature of web was 650°C, while that of flange and R corner was still about 800°C, so the temperature drop of web was the biggest. The duration of temperature rise in R corner was longer. The entrance of the UFC system in hot rolling H-beam production line, and the temperature of upper web and flange was both 850±15°C, while the other, the exit after UFC 4.5s, and the temperature of upper web and flange was both 440±20°C, which was consistent with the simulation results.

A Discrete-Event Mathematical Model for Resource Allocation Optimization: A Case Study of Vehicle Scheduling in a Signal-Free Intersection

In industrial applications, many systems present serious productivity problems due to limited resources. Generally, the dynamics of resource allocation are inherently discrete-event driven, such as the buffer allocation in production line systems. In this paper, we develop a discrete-event mathematical model for resource allocation optimization. In this work, we consider two crucial optimization objectives, e.g., deadlock-free and efficiency, that originate from the customer’s actual requirements. The main aim is to develop a resource allocation scheme for fulfilling the production process (without deadlock) while ensuring that the cost of the process is minimized. As a case study, we consider the vehicle scheduling problem in a signal-free intersection. The intersection is divided into several disjoint spatial traffic resources, and vehicles need to occupy different traffic resources for passing through the intersection. Thus, the traffic control problem at the signal-free intersection is transformed into a scheduling problem with limited resource constraints. An online control approach is developed to schedule vehicles to go through the intersection safely and efficiently by optimizing the resource allocation order. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed model and optimization approach.

Variability Management in Dynamic Software Product Lines for Self-Adaptive Systems—A Systematic Mapping

Context: Dynamic software product lines (DSPLs) have considerably increased their adoption for variability management for self-adaptive systems. The most widely used models for managing the variability of DSPLs are the MAPE-K control loop and context-aware feature models (CFMs). Aim: In this paper, we review and synthesize evidence of using variability constraint approaches, methodologies, and challenges for DSPL. Method: We conducted a systematic mapping, including three research questions. This study included 84 papers published from 2010 to 2021. Results: The main results show that open-dynamic variability shows a presence in 57.1% of the selected papers, and on the other hand, closed-dynamic variability appears in 38.1%. The most commonly used methodology for managing a DSPL environment is based on proprietary architectures (60.7%), where the use of CFMs predominates. For open-dynamic variability approaches, the MAPE-K control loop is mainly used. The main challenges in DSPL management are based on techniques (28.6%) and open variation (21.4%). Conclusions: Open-dynamic variability has prevailed over the years as the primary approach to managing variability in DSPL, where its primary methodology is the MAPE-K control loop. Response RQ3 requires further review.

Examining green three-echelon supply chain structures link with product track scheme: Implications for green technologies

The study aims to inquire about the relationship between green three-echelon supply chain systems and product line design with the emergence of green technologies. In this study, a unique social welfare vector is presented for use in gauging the sustainability of product line design, and a sustainable product line design technique is provided for upstream suppliers to adjust the product categories they offer. This social welfare vector is a representation of a supply chain with one supplier, many producers, and one retailer. The provider may determine whether a product line design is a Pareto optimum with the use of the social welfare vector and a multi-criteria model built on the principles of data envelopment analysis (DEA). The study findings came up with an alternate solution approach for upstream suppliers to achieve Pareto optimum product line design in huge data set scenarios. This study also recommends multiple implications for manufacturers and retailers farther down the supply chain, who may use this information to increase the channel’s sustainability through green energy technologies in product line systems.