Production Process Graph Structuring for Flexible Modular Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex production systems with multiple production modules face challenges in managing flexible production processes due to the rapid increase in possible pre- and intermediate products, making existing graph structures difficult to understand and manage.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that generate a process model using a graph structure to represent production steps, with nodes and edges expressing dependencies, allowing for partial ordering and conditional ordering, enabling a minimum and complete representation of production processes, and using algorithms like Min-Cut for automatic structuring and subdivision of processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a graph structure is used to represent all possible production processes for flexible manufacturing, then the system can handle diverse product configurations, but the graph becomes increasingly complex and difficult to manage as the number of pre-products and intermediate products increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex production process into hierarchical levels: a first graph structure represents the overall production process at a high level, while a second graph structure represents detailed sub-processes for specific intermediate products. This segmentation allows the system to maintain flexibility without creating an unmanageably complex single graph, as each graph focuses on a specific aspect or level of the production process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by distinguishing between a first point in time (overall process planning) and a second point in time (detailed execution). The first graph structure is created initially for high-level planning, and the second graph structure is generated later based on the first when more specific information is available. This dimensional approach allows the system to manage complexity by organizing information across different time levels.
2Reliability
If detailed production steps are planned for all possible intermediate products, then complete process coverage is achieved, but computation time and planning complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary planning by creating the first graph structure that outlines the overall production process before detailed planning is required. This preliminary high-level plan identifies the main production steps and dependencies without detailing every intermediate product variation. When specific intermediate products are identified, the system then generates the second graph structure with detailed steps, avoiding the need to pre-compute all possible detailed scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic planning approach where the level of detail in process representation adapts based on the planning stage and specific requirements. The system transitions from a high-level abstract representation (first graph) to a detailed concrete representation (second graph) only when necessary. This dynamic adjustment of detail level ensures complete process coverage for actual production needs while avoiding the computational burden of pre-planning all possible scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and also an associated computer program (product) and an apparatus for shaping a production process for producing a product made up of multiple subproducts in a production system having multiple production modules is provided. The claimed method has the following steps: generating a process model using data about production steps to be carried out for the product and the subproducts thereof, from which process model at least some of the data about at least one production step are read and a respective production module that is available and associated for carrying out the respective production step is ascertained and using a signal connection to provide instructions that correspond to the respective production step for the production module.