Objective
The objective of this project was to demonstrate the principle of an integrated information-processing system covering the design, planning, scheduling and control phases of small batch assembly in the mechanical and electromechanical industries. The main advances have been in the level of integration, in the system's ability to make a high-level description of the assembly process and in the demonstration of decision support tools used to achieve this end. Control and monitoring of an assembly cell has a lso been demonstrated.
The programme was as follows:
-Initial Phase: Study existing assembly-related systems and establish artificial intelligence implementation methodologies for automated assembly.
-Development Phase: Develop the system specification, gather assembly expertise and define data structures required. Develop the proposed system as two integrated subsystems: product development (CAD, product structure, connection selection, assembly pla nning), and production subsystem (assembly scheduling, cell scheduling, assembly cell control). Develop a testbed system to demonstrate results.
The objective of this project was to demonstrate the principle of an integrated information processing system covering the design, planning, scheduling and control phases of small batch assembly in the mechanical and electromechanical industries. The main advances have been in the level of integration, in the system's ability to make a high-level description of the assembly process and in the demonstration of decision support tools used to achieve this end. Control and monitoring of an assembly cell has also been demonstrated. Studies of assembly systems and artificial intelligence (AI) implementation methodologies have been completed. A target system has been defined which will allow a highly integrated approach based on emerging AI techniques. The validity of the system has been tested by constructing a functional prototype that contains the functions, modules and models indicated by the target system, which, even if embryonic in form, are fully integrated. Prototype software modules have been developed based on an enhanced internal architecture, with attention given to the requirements of potential end users.
Studies of assembly systems and AI implementation methodologies have been completed. A target system has been defined which will allow a highly integrated approach based on emerging AI techniques. The validity of the system has been tested by constructing a functional prototype that contains the functions, modules and models indicated by the target system, which, even if embryonic in form, are fully integrated. Prototype software modules have been developed based on an enhanced internal architecture, with attention given to the requirements of potential end-users.
Exploitation
Flexible Automated Assembly Systems (FAAS) are potentially a key market area for IT vendors. The availability of comprehensive integrated information-processing systems with good decision-support tools could lead to high revenues.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
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CM2 8HN Chelmsford
United Kingdom