Expertise

Unmanned aerial systems have changed the industry dramatically. The rapidly advancing technological development of so-called Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) makes it necessary to address the design of future operational scenarios at an early stage.

UAS, Drones, Navigation

Software for an Automated Multidimensional Factory Layout Optimisation: Layout planning is a complex planning task in the context of factory planning, which up to now has usually needed to be carried out manually. Although many optimisation methods for the underlying problem have been developed in the past, they were only applicable to a small group of experts, mostly from universities. Therefore, an easy-touse software for layout planning was developed in a research project to provide companies with access to these optimisation methods.

Factory planning, facility layout planning, optimization, operations research, software

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) cover a wide range of applications not only outdoors but also indoors. The use of UAS has already been successfully tested and validated in some of these application areas, such as factory layout digitization or in-plant material transport. The current state of technical development of UAS for flight control, collision avoidance and flight performance basically allows their use in production operations. It is still unclear which legal and thus also insurance-related, technical and operational prerequisites must be created by applying companies for the use in production operations. This white paper discusses these issues. A technical and operational risk analysis is then presented, which is supplemented by a catalog of measures for the proper introduction and use of UAS technology. Potential risks are considered, even though the risks can be reduced by safety mechanisms and appropriate sensor technology as the degree of automation of UAS increases.

Drones, intralogistics, automated transport

This handbook introduces a methodical approach and pragmatic concept for the planning and design of changeable factories that act in strategic alliances to supply the ever-changing needs of the global market.

In the first part, the change drivers of manufacturing enterprises and the resulting new challenges are considered in detail with focus on an appropriate change potential.

The second part concerns the design of the production facilities and systems on the factory levels work place, section, building and site under functional, organisational, architectural and strategic aspects keeping in mind the environmental, health and safety aspects including corporate social responsibility.

The third part is dedicated to the planning and design method that is based on a synergetic interaction of process and space. The accompanying project management of the planning and construction phase and the facility management for the effective utilization of the built premises close the book.

factory planning, factory building, logistics

This book comprehensively encapsulates for the first time the fundamentals of modeling Logistic Operating Curves for production and storage processes including how they can be derived and calculated based on standard operating data. Logistic Operating Curves solve the dilemma between conflicting logistic targets and open up the frequently hidden potential of the throughput time and WIP without requiring excessive restructuring or capital expenditures. Based on this knowledge a variety of useful tools and practical applications are presented and discussed. Finally using the Excel-based programs provided on the accompanying CD-ROM, the reader can then calculate various Production, Storage and Scheduling Operating Curves using their own data.

production process, storage process, logistics

Flexibility and changeability are key enablers for meeting the challenges of a global market. The paper first describes the main change drivers and takes then a deeper look at how changeability in a previous manufacturing enterprise can be classified and operationalized. The next sections are devoted to changeability in reconfigurable previous manufacturing systems, assembly systems and factories including buildings and infrastructure. New challenges, perspectives and approaches for process plan reconfiguration as well as for Production Planning and Control are discussed. Finally, the evaluation and economic justification of changeability are addressed and a control loop of changeability is presented.

adaptability, plant planning, production control