{"title":"Multi-stage inventory control method based on item characteristics","authors":"L. Tsushima, T. Kusuzaki, K. Mihara, K. Akashi","doi":"10.1109/ETFA.1999.815362","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ETFA.1999.815362","url":null,"abstract":"A new inventory control method reducing both the physical distribution cost and the inventory is proposed. This method obtained through the case study of a certain confectionery manufacturer has three basic functions: selection of the transportation routes based on item characteristics; allocation algorithm of the transportation volume to each regional distribution center; and function coping effectively with the change of item characteristics. The validity of the proposed method is shown by simulation results. The results denote that the physical distribution cost and the inventory are reduced to 89% and 49% respectively, compared with conventional methods. And the knowledge about system analysis/planning, which was obtained through the case study, is described.","PeriodicalId":119106,"journal":{"name":"1999 7th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Proceedings ETFA '99 (Cat. No.99TH8467)","volume":"38 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124140749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Using a planning scheduler in the CAN network","authors":"J. Fonseca, L. Almeida","doi":"10.1109/ETFA.1999.813077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ETFA.1999.813077","url":null,"abstract":"Controller Area Network is a broadcast bus based on dynamic scheduling. Although timing performance can be evaluated if the message set is previously known, it becomes difficult to keep guarantees if on-line changes are to be made. This results in a lack of flexibility when real-time behaviour is of concern. In this paper the authors propose the use of a centralised planning scheduler on a CAN system to achieve operational flexibility while keeping guaranteed timing behaviour. The low run-time overhead of this scheduler makes if particularly suited when low-processing power microcontrollers are to be used. It is shown that the communication protocol derived is capable of handling centrally controlled periodic traffic without a significant penalty in bus load and can process changes in the system configuration or message parameters with a response time adequate for most applications.","PeriodicalId":119106,"journal":{"name":"1999 7th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Proceedings ETFA '99 (Cat. No.99TH8467)","volume":"C-32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126488729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Lázaro, A. Gardel, C. Mataix, F.J. Rodriguez, E. Martin
{"title":"Adaptive workspace modeling, using regression methods, and path planning to the alternative guide of mobile robots in environments with obstacles","authors":"J. Lázaro, A. Gardel, C. Mataix, F.J. Rodriguez, E. Martin","doi":"10.1109/ETFA.1999.815400","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ETFA.1999.815400","url":null,"abstract":"To carry out the navigation task starting with the information given by a sensor, an algorithm has been developed to model environments and plan the path that has to be tracked. It is capable of searching alternative routes if an obstacle has been detected, and chooses the optimal path, tracking smoothly the trajectory, without sudden variations in the robot orientation and movement. The necessary information is received as tuples of X-Z coordinates from an infrared detector, capable of sampling hundreds of points with an aperture angle of 100/spl deg/. Then, the tuples are ordered by the Z coordinate, and making use of regression methods, the object contours in the scene are modeled. Also the environment borders are detected as line segments. The number detected can be modified, so the model fits well into the environment using different granularity. It is possible to attain higher precision allowing an increase in the processing time. Once the environment is modeled, all the possible alternative trajectories are calculated to avoid the obstacles detected and reach the goal point. Those trajectories are computed and stored as cubic polynomial splines, using four reference systems to avoid impossible tracking through an intermediate point. For the case where the goal cannot be reached with a unique spline, the whole path is divided into several trajectories, joining them in the optimal point with the best orientation.","PeriodicalId":119106,"journal":{"name":"1999 7th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Proceedings ETFA '99 (Cat. No.99TH8467)","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127983796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Interacting software-agents to support a kind of expert supervision systems","authors":"O. Contreras, J. L. de la Rosa, J. Meléndez","doi":"10.1109/ETFA.1999.813088","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ETFA.1999.813088","url":null,"abstract":"Expert supervision systems are software applications specially designed to automate process monitoring. The goal is to reduce the dependency on human operators to assure the correct operation of a process including faulty situations. Construction of this kind of application involves an important task of design and development in order to represent and to manipulate process data and behaviour at different degrees of abstraction for interfacing with data acquisition systems connected to the process. This is an open problem that becomes more complex with the number of variables, parameters and relations to account for the complexity of the process. Multiple specialised modules tuned to solve simpler tasks that operate under a co-ordination provide a solution. A modular architecture based on concepts of software agents, taking advantage of the integration of diverse knowledge-based techniques, is proposed for this purpose. The components (software agents, communication mechanisms and perception/action mechanisms) are based on ICa (Intelligent Control architecture), software middleware supporting the build-up of applications with software agent features.","PeriodicalId":119106,"journal":{"name":"1999 7th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Proceedings ETFA '99 (Cat. No.99TH8467)","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128795992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evolutionary learning agents for shop floor control","authors":"B. Maione, D. Naso","doi":"10.1109/ETFA.1999.813086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ETFA.1999.813086","url":null,"abstract":"We describe a novel approach for shop poor control combining a distributed multi-agent structure and computational intelligence techniques. Shop floor activities are controlled by a network of autonomous agents. Each agent makes its decision with a fuzzy algorithm evaluating all the alternative actions with multiple criteria based on real time measures of shop's conditions. A tuning mechanism of the decision algorithm allows agents to adapt themselves to the time varying operating conditions of the manufacturing system. The adaptation process follows a reinforcement learning schema. New agents are periodically created to replace the old ones according to the following strategy: the better the peformance of an agent in its life cycle, the higher the probability that new agents will inherit its decision rules. Preliminary experiments on a detailed simulation model of flexible assembling systems show the potentialities of the approach and suggest further improvements.","PeriodicalId":119106,"journal":{"name":"1999 7th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Proceedings ETFA '99 (Cat. No.99TH8467)","volume":"31 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127408231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Remote controlled virtual reality construction","authors":"L. Santillo, T. Murino, G. Paduano","doi":"10.1109/ETFA.1999.815389","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ETFA.1999.815389","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper a new virtual reality method is introduced, which permits customers (or remote user), through the Internet, to obtain a visual representation of a solution of their needs and requests. Complex environments such as furniture, can be easily composed, piece after piece, and modified by customers, who are then able to view the visual effect obtained. This new method is a kind of \"virtual catalogue\" which can be used for selling compound products (like furniture) or for statistical purposes. This new method is very useful to businesses for improving production management, and at the same time offering a better customer service.","PeriodicalId":119106,"journal":{"name":"1999 7th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Proceedings ETFA '99 (Cat. No.99TH8467)","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132777213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An agent-based approach for collecting and utilizing design information throughout the product life cycle","authors":"I. Goncharenko, V. Kryssanov, H. Tamaki","doi":"10.1109/ETFA.1999.815353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ETFA.1999.815353","url":null,"abstract":"The study proposes a novel approach to systematically collecting and utilizing product feedback information throughout the product life cycle to support life cycle design methodologies. The approach has a solid theoretical basis that is the theory of complex system evolution and, at the same time, is technologically sound and does not require significant investments to be realized. The natural evolution of a design as an information object is discussed in the context of the product life cycle, and the importance of evaluation of design requirements in post-design life cycle stages is argued. The notion of design expectations is introduced. A prognosis technique based on a parametric model is outlined that allows one to estimate product characteristics and predict violations of design expectations in dynamic environments. An agent based approach is proposed to evaluate the production and product environments, assess design expectations, and supply the designer with relevant information to improve the product design. A case study of the development of an expectation agent for a refrigerator is described. Summarizing the experience accumulated through the research, some conclusions and implications for future work are given.","PeriodicalId":119106,"journal":{"name":"1999 7th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Proceedings ETFA '99 (Cat. No.99TH8467)","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134330364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A heuristic approach to performance management in computer networks","authors":"A. Stefano, L. L. Bello, O. Mirabella","doi":"10.1109/ETFA.1999.813081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ETFA.1999.813081","url":null,"abstract":"Network segmentation, also known as the Network Division Problem, is one of the most effective techniques for computer network performance management. It has been dealt with in recent years by several researchers who have formalised the problem in mathematical terms. The solutions currently available in literature are based on minimisation of certain functionals, called fitness functions which, however, consider a limited number of network parameters, thus privileging only one performance target to the detriment of others. This paper introduces a new fitness function overcoming the limits of existing solutions, as it takes simultaneously into account a wider range of network performance requirements. The paper also provides an optimisation methodology which is then applied to a real operational environment i.e., the network of a large-size industrial plant. Results of a wide series of tests carried out in different typical working scenarios are illustrated and discussed.","PeriodicalId":119106,"journal":{"name":"1999 7th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Proceedings ETFA '99 (Cat. No.99TH8467)","volume":"105 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133477984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Simulation tool of supply chain model with various structure and decision making processes","authors":"Tetsuya Maruta, Y. Ikkai, N. Komoda","doi":"10.1109/ETFA.1999.813159","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ETFA.1999.813159","url":null,"abstract":"To evaluate the control mechanism for a supply chain, simulation is one of the most effective methods. In a supply chain, however, the flows of work, transit and decision-making have complex interrelations, so that it is difficult to easily express a model for simulation. In this paper, the functions needed for supply-chain simulation and a tool equipped with these functions are proposed. By using this tool, modeling and simulating of the supply chain are supported. Flows of work, transit and decision-making are expressed in individually-defined forms, and they are connected and integrated to generate a whole supply-chain model.","PeriodicalId":119106,"journal":{"name":"1999 7th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Proceedings ETFA '99 (Cat. No.99TH8467)","volume":"68 6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131788847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design methods applied to the selection of a rapid prototyping resource","authors":"François Pérès, C. Martin","doi":"10.1109/ETFA.1999.815386","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/ETFA.1999.815386","url":null,"abstract":"The article first introduces the problem in question and discusses the interest in implementing a concurrent engineering approach. It focuses on the relevant rapid prototyping techniques likely to be used in order to make the design and production processes more reliable. Next, the article describes in generic terms the advantages of using the QFD method as a decision making tool. The practical case study chosen is related to the selection of a prototyping resource. After identifying the functions to be fulfilled by the rapid prototyping resource, a technology deployment matrix is built and the principles leading to the results are commented upon.","PeriodicalId":119106,"journal":{"name":"1999 7th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Proceedings ETFA '99 (Cat. No.99TH8467)","volume":"95 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122970453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}