IET Collaborative Intelligent Manufacturing最新文献

Early fault detection (EFD) of rolling bearings aims at detecting the early symptoms of faults by monitoring small deviations of health states. Accurate EFD enables predictive maintenance and contributes to the stability of mechanical systems. In recent years, machine learning based methods have shown impressive performance on EFD. Most of the current machine learning-based methods assume the availability for a large amount of data. However, in practice, the authors may only have a very limited amount of training data, which makes it hard to learn a reliable machine learning model. To address this concern, in this work, the authors propose to tackle EFD via meta learning. Specifically, the authors first formulate EFD as a few-shot learning problem and then propose to tackle this problem with a metric-based meta learning method. Furthermore, ensemble learning is further leveraged to improve the detection robustness. For the proposed method, the distribution difference from the working conditions and the bearings are considered. The experimental results on two bearing datasets show that the proposed method can achieve better EFD performance, that is, detecting incipient faults earlier while bringing in lower false alarms, compared with several frequently used EFD methods.

The authors investigate new Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Routing Problem with Simultaneous Pickup and Delivery with Mixed Time Windows (VRPSPDMTW) in smart workshops, a variation of the classic Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP). A mixed time window vehicle routing model was developed for simultaneous deliveries. This model reduces the cost of AGVs used and distribution cost, along with time window penalties. To address this complex challenge, a Hybrid Adaptive Genetic Algorithm using Variable Neighbourhood Search (AGA-VNS) is proposed. This algorithm enhances the genetic algorithm's local search capabilities while preserving solution diversity, thereby improving both efficiency and quality of solutions. Comprehensive computational experiments are conducted, which include both VRPSPDTW test benchmark and real-world smart factory instance studies. The outcomes reveal that the AGA-VNS algorithm outperforms both professional solver software and advanced heuristic methods significantly. Moreover, the newly developed mixed time window model is more aligned with the requirements of real-world production processes compared to the traditional time window model. Thus, this research not only presents novel insights into the domain of vehicle routing problems but also demonstrates its significant applicability and potential in the background of intelligent workshops.

Sensor fusion is very important for collaborative intelligent systems. A regional feature fusion network called ReFuNet for detecting 3D Object is proposed. It is difficult to detect distant or small objects accurately for the sparsity of LiDAR point cloud. The LiDAR point cloud and camera image information to solve the problem of point cloud sparsity is used, which can integrate image-rich semantic information to enhance point cloud features. Also, the authors’ ReFuNet method segments the possible areas of objects by the results of 2D image detection. A cross-attention mechanism adaptively fuses image and point cloud features within the areas. Then, the authors’ ReFuNet uses fused features to predict the 3D bounding boxes of objects. Experiments on the KITTI 3D object detection dataset showed that the authors’ proposed fusion method effectively improved the performance of 3D object detection.

In the multi-variety and large-scale order production mode, enterprises must balance delivery deadlines and maintain customer satisfaction while also considering the health status of machines. Therefore, the authors propose a method for jointly optimising production scheduling and machine maintenance. Before machine processing, an order value grading and sorting model and a machine health-status group partitioning model are constructed to classify orders into different production value levels and machines into different health-status groups, respectively. During machine processing, based on the Weibull distribution theory, a ‘health evaluation function value’ constraint machine preventive maintenance (PM) model and PM strategy are proposed to account for the changing health status of machines; these are integrated with the order allocation machine strategy as decision-making elements in the production schedule. Finally, two case studies are used to verify the effectiveness of this proposed model and method. The results show that compared to general scheduling schemes, the proposed method can reduce total delay and improve customer satisfaction. Additionally, the PM plan proposed in this method can improve production efficiency and line stability compared to periodic maintenance.

The Circulatory System Based Optimisation (CSBO) stands as a nascent metaheuristic optimisation algorithm known for its proficiency in tackling global optimisation problems. The authors introduce the Multi-strategy Enhanced CSBO (MECSBO), an algorithm designed for global optimisation and Reliability-based Design Optimisation (RBDO). MECSBO integrates adaptive inertia weight, golden sine operator and chaos strategy to augment the convergence capacity and efficiency of the original CSBO. Furthermore, MECSBO-based RBDO algorithm is presented to address RBDO problem. The comparative analysis utilising standard real-world benchmark functions has been carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed MECSBO. Several RBDO problems, including three typical numerical examples and three engineering cases, are used to show abilities of the proposed MECSBO-based RBDO algorithm. The results demonstrated that MECSBO is outperformed comparing to the state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and robustness in RBDO problems.

The chaotic identification and resolution, inadequate data interoperability, and inefficient management of resources in the high-voltage coil production workshop limited the effectiveness of its management, and posed significant challenges. To address this issue, the authors establish a comprehensive interconnected digital workshop for high-voltage coil manufacturing based on Industrial Internet Identification and Resolution as well as the 5G technology. A comprehensive framework model is developed for the high-voltage coil workshop, along with a formal modelling and tagging approach for objects within the high-voltage coil workshop. In addition, a management shell modelling method for the complete set of resources in the high-voltage coil workshop is explored. An analytical identification and interoperability mechanism for the full resource of the high-voltage coil workshop is introduced. Furthermore, a trusted shared space is developed for the complete resource data of the high-voltage coil workshop. Finally, a field validation is conducted within a specific high-voltage coil production workshop. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed methods and models facilitate the unified access, mutual integration, and efficient management of the entire resources within the high-voltage coil workshop. These achievements serve as a crucial reference for the implementation and advancement of interconnected manufacturing workshops.

Collaborative Networked Organisations (CNOs) are increasingly recognised for their ability to harness cooperation and complementary competencies, outperforming individual efforts in pursuing business opportunities. However, the criticality of selecting the right long-term partner for a CNO has been understated, especially considering the evolving landscape of sustainability perceptions. This research addresses the issue of time inconsistency within the context of sustainable CNO partner selection by employing the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process with the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution. Time inconsistency refers to a situation where preferences or decisions change over different points in time, leading to inconsistencies in choices or actions. Specifically, the study focuses on a Swiss Manufacturing CNO, examining how the evaluation of potential partners' environmental criteria changes over time. The findings reveal the presence of time inconsistency in environmental criterion evaluation between two time periods. This inconsistency stems from the evolving perception of environmental conditions and the increasing social and governmental pressures surrounding environmental standards. As a consequence, improper partner choices in CNOs can be made, potentially undermining the collaborative's overall sustainability goals. The study sheds light on the importance of considering dynamic sustainability factors in partner selection for CNOs, emphasising the need for a more comprehensive and adaptive approach to secure fruitful and lasting collaborations.

A distributed heterogeneous permutation flowshop scheduling problem with sequence-dependent setup times (DHPFSP-SDST) is addressed, which well reflects real-world scenarios in heterogeneous factories. The objective is to minimise the maximum completion time (makespan) by assigning jobs to factories, and sequencing them within each factory. First, a mathematical model to describe the DHPFSP-SDST is established. Second, four meta-heuristics, including genetic algorithms, differential evolution, artificial bee colony, and iterated greedy (IG) algorithms are improved to optimally solve the concerned problem compared with the other existing optimisers in the literature. The Nawaz-Enscore-Ham (NEH) heuristic is employed for generating an initial solution. Then, five local search operators are designed based on the problem characteristics to enhance algorithms' performance. To choose the local search operators appropriately during iterations, Q-learning-based strategy is adopted. Finally, extensive numerical experiments are conducted on 72 instances using 5 optimisers. The obtained optimisation results and comparisons prove that the improved IG algorithm along with Q-learning based local search selection strategy shows better performance with respect to its peers. The proposed algorithm exhibits higher efficiency for scheduling the concerned problems.

Workload control (WLC) is usually employed to make order release to attain workload balance, satisfactory delivery rate and high production efficiency. However, in the real production environment of printed circuit board (PCB) industries, slight modifications in the product process shifts the bottleneck resources which leads to misjudge the effect of WLC and may ultimately increase the lateness of orders. Therefore, this research focuses on the order release problem of PCB production system considering main process flow and shifting of bottlenecks. At first, certain improvements are proposed on the classic WLC method and two order release control strategies based on process switching are designed to generate order release plan on the basis of Lancaster University Management School Corrected Order Release method. Furthermore, different scheduling rules are investigated along with the upper workload limits on the PCB system simultaneously. Finally, a simulation model is developed to analyse the impact of order release methods on the system performance through simulation experiments. Furthermore, extensive simulation experiments for different scheduling rules on bottleneck resource and different workload upper limit ratios are also carried out in the current research. Simulation results show that the process order release control strategy based on process switching has a strong adaptability in PCB manufacturing system.

Significant attention has been given to low-carbon smart manufacturing (SM) as a strategy for promoting sustainability and carbon-free emissions in the manufacturing industry. The implementation of intelligent algorithms and procedures enables the attainment and enhancement of low-carbon clever manufacturing processes. These algorithms facilitate real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, ensuring efficient and sustainable operations and data-driven decision-making, increasing resource utilisation, waste reduction, and energy efficiency. The research examines the utilisation of algorithms in the context of low-carbon smart manufacturing, encompassing machine learning, optimisation algorithms, and predictive analytics. A comprehensive literature evaluation spanning from 2011 to 2023 is conducted to assess the significance of low-carbon approaches in the context of smart manufacturing. An integrated approach is used using content analysis, network data analysis, bibliometric analysis, and cluster analysis. Based on the published literature the leading contributors to low-carbon manufacturing research are India, China, United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, and Italy. The results have shown five main themes—Low-carbon smart manufacturing and applications of Algorithms; Industry 4.0 technologies for low-carbon manufacturing; low carbon and green manufacturing; Low-carbon Manufacturing, and Product design and control; Lean Systems and Smart Manufacturing. The purpose of this study is to provide policymakers and researchers with a guide for the academic development of low-carbon manufacturing by evaluating research efforts in light of identified research deficits.