| 1. |
- Bernedixen, Jacob
(författare)
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Automated Bottleneck Analysis of Production Systems : Increasing the applicability of simulation-based multi-objective optimization for bottleneck analysis within industry
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Manufacturing companies constantly need to explore new management strategies and new methods to increase the efficiency of their production systems and retain their competitiveness. It is of paramount importance to develop new bottleneck analysis methods that can identify the factors that impede the overall performance of their productionsystems so that the optimal improvement actions can be performed. Many of the bottleneck-related research methods developed in the last two decades are aimed mainly at detecting bottlenecks. Due to their sole reliance on historical data and lackof any predictive capability, they are less useful for evaluating the effect of bottleneck improvements.There is an urgent need for an efficient and accurate method of pinpointing bottlenecks, identifying the correct improvement actions and the order in which these should be carried out, and evaluating their effects on the overall system performance. SCORE (simulation-based constraint removal) is a novel method that uses simulation based multi-objective optimization to analyze bottlenecks. By innovatively formulating bottleneck analysis as a multi-objective optimization problem and using simulation to evaluate the effects of various combinations of improvements, all attainable, maximum throughput levels of the production system can be sought through a single optimization run. Additionally, post-optimality frequency analysis of the Pareto-optimal solutions can generate a rank order of the attributes of the resources required to achieve the target throughput levels. However, in its original compilation, SCORE has a very high computational cost, especially when the simulation model is complex with a large number of decision variables. Some tedious manual setup of the simulation based optimization is also needed, which restricts its applicability within industry, despite its huge potential. Furthermore, the accuracy of SCORE in terms of convergence in optimization theory and correctness of identifying the optimal improvement actions has not been evaluated scientifically.Building on previous SCORE research, the aim of this work is to develop an effective method of automated, accurate bottleneck identification and improvement analysis that can be applied in industry.The contributions of this thesis work include:(1) implementation of a versatile representation in terms of multiple-choice set variables and a corresponding constraint repair strategy into evolutionary multi-objective optimization algorithms;(2) introduction of a novel technique that combines variable screening enabled initializationof population and variable-wise genetic operators to support a more efficient search process;(3) development of an automated setup for SCORE to avoid the tedious manual creation of optimization variables and objectives;(4) the use of ranking distance metrics to quantify and visualize the convergence and accuracy of the bottleneck ranking generated by SCORE.All these contributions have been demonstrated and evaluated through extensive experiments on scalable benchmark simulation models as well as several large-scale simulation models for real-world improvement projects in the automotive industry.The promising results have proved that, when augmented with the techniques proposed in this thesis, the SCORE method can offer real benefits to manufacturing companies by optimizing their production systems.
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| 2. |
- Karlsson, Ingemar, et al.
(författare)
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Combining augmented reality and simulation-based optimization for decision support in manufacturing
- 2017
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 2017 Winter Simulation Conference. - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). - 9781538634288 - 9781538634295 - 9781538634301 ; , s. 3988-3999
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although the idea of using Augmented Reality and simulation within manufacturing is not a new one, the improvement of hardware enhances the emergence of new areas. For manufacturing organizations, simulation is an important tool used to analyze and understand their manufacturing systems; however, simulation models can be complex. Nonetheless, using Augmented Reality to display the simulation results and analysis can increase the understanding of the model and the modeled system. This paper introduces a decision support system, IDSS-AR, which uses simulation and Augmented Reality to show a simulation model in 3D. The decision support system uses Microsoft HoloLens, which is a head-worn hardware for Augmented Reality. A prototype of IDSS-AR has been evaluated with a simulation model depicting a real manufacturing system on which a bottleneck detection method has been applied. The bottleneck information is shown on the simulation model, increasing the possibility of realizing interactions between the bottlenecks.
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| 3. |
- Lidberg, Simon, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluating the impact of changes on a global supply chain using an iterative approach in a proof-of-concept model
- 2018
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Ingår i: Advances in Manufacturing Technology XXXII. - Amsterdam : IOS Press. - 9781614999010 - 9781614999027 ; , s. 467-472
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Analyzing networks of supply-chains, where each chain is comprised of several actors with different purposes and performance measures, is a difficult task. There exists a large potential in optimizing supply-chains for many companies and therefore the supply-chain optimization problem is of great interest to study. To be able to optimize the supply-chain on a global scale, fast models are needed to reduce computational time. Previous research has been made into the aggregation of factories, but the technique has not been tested against supply-chain problems. When evaluating the configuration of factories and their inter-transportation on a global scale, new insights can be gained about which parameters are important and how the aggregation fits to a supply-chain problem. The paper presents an interactive proof-of-concept model enabling testing of supply chain concepts by users and decision makers.
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| 4. |
- Lidberg, Simon, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Using Aggregated Discrete Event Simulation Models and Multi-Objective Optimization to Improve Real-World Factories
- 2018
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 2018 Winter Simulation Conference. - : IEEE. - 9781538665725 - 9781538665732 - 9781538665701 - 9781538665718 ; , s. 2015-2024
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Improving production line performance and identifying bottlenecks using simulation-based optimization has been shown to be an effective approach. Nevertheless, for larger production systems which are consisted of multiple production lines, using simulation-based optimization can be too computationally expensive, due to the complexity of the models. Previous research has shown promising techniques for aggregating production line data into computationally efficient modules, which enables the simulation of higher-level systems, i.e., factories. This paper shows how a real-world factory flow can be optimized by applying the previously mentioned aggregation techniques in combination with multi-objective optimization using an experimental approach. The particular case studied in this paper reveals potential reductions of storage levels by over 30 %, lead time reductions by 67 %, and batch sizes reduced by more than 50 % while maintaining the delivery precision of the industrial system.
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| 5. |
- Amouzgar, Kaveh, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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A framework for simulation-based multi-objective optimization and knowledge discovery of machining process
- 2018
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Ingår i: The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0268-3768 .- 1433-3015. ; 98:9-12, s. 2469-2486
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The current study presents an effective framework for automated multi-objective optimization (MOO) of machining processes by using finite element (FE) simulations. The framework is demonstrated by optimizing a metal cutting process in turning AISI-1045, using an uncoated K10 tungsten carbide tool. The aim of the MOO is to minimize tool-chip interface temperature and tool wear depth, that are extracted from FE simulations, while maximizing the material removal rate. The effect of tool geometry parameters, i.e., clearance angle, rake angle, and cutting edge radius, and process parameters, i.e., cutting speed and feed rate on the objective functions are explored. Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm (SPEA2) is adopted for the study. The framework integrates and connects several modules to completely automate the entire MOO process. The capability of performing the MOO in parallel is also enabled by adopting the framework. Basically, automation and parallel computing, accounts for the practicality of MOO by using FE simulations. The trade-off solutions obtained by MOO are presented. A knowledge discovery study is carried out on the trade-off solutions. The non-dominated solutions are analyzed using a recently proposed data mining technique to gain a deeper understanding of the turning process.
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| 6. |
- Amouzgar, Kaveh, 1980-
(författare)
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Metamodel Based Multi-Objective Optimization with Finite-Element Applications
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- As a result of the increase in accessibility of computational resources and the increase of computer power during the last two decades, designers are able to create computer models to simulate the behavior of complex products. To address global competitiveness, companies are forced to optimize the design of their products and production processes. Optimizing the design and production very often need several runs of computationally expensive simulation models. Therefore, integrating metamodels, as an efficient and sufficiently accurate approximate of the simulation model, with optimization algorithms is necessary. Furthermore, in most of engineering problems, more than one objective function has to be optimized, leading to multi-objective optimization(MOO). However, the urge to employ metamodels in MOO, i.e., metamodel based MOO (MB-MOO), is more substantial.Radial basis functions (RBF) is one of the most popular metamodeling methods. In this thesis, a new approach to constructing RBF with the bias to beset a priori by using the normal equation is proposed. The performance of the suggested approach is compared to the classic RBF and four other well-known metamodeling methods, in terms of accuracy, efficiency and, most importantly, suitability for integration with MOO evolutionary algorithms. It has been found that the proposed approach is accurate in most of the test functions, and it was the fastest compared to other methods. Additionally, the new approach is the most suitable method for MB-MOO, when integrated with evolutionary algorithms. The proposed approach is integrated with the strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm (SPEA2) and applied to two real-world engineering problems: MB-MOO of the disk brake system of a heavy truck, and the metal cutting process in a turning operation. Thereafter, the Pareto-optimal fronts are obtained and the results are presented. The MB-MOO in both case studies has been found to be an efficient and effective method. To validate the results of the latter MB-MOO case study, a framework for automated finite element (FE) simulation based MOO (SB-MOO) of machining processes is developed and presented by applying it to the same metal cutting process in a turning operation. It has been proved that the framework is effective in achieving the MOO of machining processes based on actual FE simulations.
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| 7. |
- Amouzgar, Kaveh, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Radial basis functions with a priori bias as surrogate models : A comparative study
- 2018
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Ingår i: Engineering applications of artificial intelligence. - : Elsevier. - 0952-1976 .- 1873-6769. ; 71, s. 28-44
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Radial basis functions are augmented with a posteriori bias in order to perform robustly when used as metamodels. Recently, it has been proposed that the bias can simply be set a priori by using the normal equation, i.e., the bias becomes the corresponding regression model. In this study, we demonstrate the performance of the suggested approach (RBFpri) with four other well-known metamodeling methods; Kriging, support vector regression, neural network and multivariate adaptive regression. The performance of the five methods is investigated by a comparative study, using 19 mathematical test functions, with five different degrees of dimensionality and sampling size for each function. The performance is evaluated by root mean squared error representing the accuracy, rank error representing the suitability of metamodels when coupled with evolutionary optimization algorithms, training time representing the efficiency and variation of root mean squared error representing the robustness. Furthermore, a rigorous statistical analysis of performance metrics is performed. The results show that the proposed radial basis function with a priori bias achieved the best performance in most of the experiments in terms of all three metrics. When considering the statistical analysis results, the proposed approach again behaved the best, while Kriging was relatively as accurate and support vector regression was almost as fast as RBFpri. The proposed RBF is proven to be the most suitable method in predicting the ranking among pairs of solutions utilized in evolutionary algorithms. Finally, the comparison study is carried out on a real-world engineering optimization problem.
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| 8. |
- Andersson, Martin, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Parameter Tuning Evolutionary Algorithms for Runtime versus Cost Trade-off in a Cloud Computing Environment
- 2018
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Ingår i: Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory. - : Elsevier. - 1569-190X. ; 89, s. 195-205
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The runtime of an evolutionary algorithm can be reduced by increasing the number of parallel evaluations. However, increasing the number of parallel evaluations can also result in wasted computational effort since there is a greater probability of creating solutions that do not contribute to convergence towards the global optimum. A trade-off, therefore, arises between the runtime and computational effort for different levels of parallelization of an evolutionary algorithm. When the computational effort is translated into cost, the trade-off can be restated as runtime versus cost. This trade-off is particularly relevant for cloud computing environments where the computing resources can be exactly matched to the level of parallelization of the algorithm, and the cost is proportional to the runtime and how many instances that are used. This paper empirically investigates this trade-off for two different evolutionary algorithms, NSGA-II and differential evolution (DE) when applied to multi-objective discrete-event simulation-based (DES) problem. Both generational and steadystate asynchronous versions of both algorithms are included. The approach is to perform parameter tuning on a simplified version of the DES model. A subset of the best configurations from each tuning experiment is then evaluated on a cloud computing platform. The results indicate that, for the included DES problem, the steady-state asynchronous version of each algorithm provides a better runtime versus cost trade-off than the generational versions and that DE outperforms NSGA-II.
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| 9. |
- Ayani, Mikel, et al.
(författare)
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Digital Twin : Applying emulation for machine reconditioning
- 2018
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Ingår i: Procedia CIRP. - : Elsevier. - 2212-8271 .- 2212-8271. ; 72, s. 243-248
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Old machine reconditioning projects extend the life length of machines with reduced investments, however they frequently involve complex challenges. Due to the lack of technical documentation and the fact that the machines are running in production, they can require a reverse engineering phase and extremely short commissioning times. Recently, emulation software has become a key tool to create Digital Twins and carry out virtual commissioning of new manufacturing systems, reducing the commissioning time and increasing its final quality. This paper presents an industrial application study in which an emulation model is used to support a reconditioning project and where the benefits gained in the working process are highlighted.
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| 10. |
- Ayani, Mikel, et al.
(författare)
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Optimizing Cycle Time and Energy Efficiency of a Robotic Cell Using an Emulation Model
- 2018
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Ingår i: Advances in Manufacturing Technology XXXII. - Amsterdam : IOS Press. - 9781614999010 - 9781614999027 ; , s. 411-416
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Industrial automated systems are mostly designed and pre-adjusted to always work at their maximum production rate. This leaves room for important energy consumption reductions considering the production rate variations of factories in reality. This article presents a multi-objective optimization application targeting cycle time and energy consumption of a robotic cell. A novel approach is presented where an existing emulation model of a fictitious robotic cell was extended with low-level electrical components modeled and encapsulated as FMUs. The model, commanded by PLC and Robot Control software, was subjected to a multi-objective optimization algorithm in order to find the Pareto front between energy consumption and production rate. The result of the optimization process allows selecting the most efficient energy consumption for the robotic cell in order to achieve the required cycle.
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