This paper describes shopfloor scheduling techniques for a highly automated metal cutting machining centre. The machining centre is modelled as a generalized flowshop, i.e. a set of work stations where each work stati...
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This paper describes shopfloor scheduling techniques for a highly automated metal cutting machining centre. The machining centre is modelled as a generalized flowshop, i.e. a set of work stations where each work station may contain several parallel machines. Parts visit all work stations in the same order and are processed by at most one machine in each work station (a part may skip a workstation). Constraints on the scheduling problem are imposed by release and due dates for each job. The objective is to minimize maximal lateness. The approach presented in this paper, is based on a decomposition of the generalized flowshop and uses a parallel machine scheduling algorithm as its key building block. The main contribution of this paper is on the latter subject: the development of schedules with the objective to minimize maximal lateness in a parallel machine system with release and due dates.
The estimation of an absolute life expectancy of a structure is a complex process and the results are expected to have relatively large levels of uncertainty. In this study, a comparative analysis is undertaken betwee...
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The estimation of an absolute life expectancy of a structure is a complex process and the results are expected to have relatively large levels of uncertainty. In this study, a comparative analysis is undertaken between two different patrol boats. This is an approach which results in a higher confidence level because certain factors common to both boats can be eliminated by assuming them to be at constant normal levels. The study is limited to the critical forward bottom plating and takes into account the differences in material, plate dimensions, operational profile, structure and loading of the two vessels. Two failure modes, plastic plate deformation and fatigue, are considered, and a novel approach to plate wastage is included. Many factors affect the structural life of a vessel. They include structural type, operational profile, structural details, loads, inspection and maintenance, design methods, safety factors, corrosion, and environmental factors. There are three types of uncertainty associated with these factors; namely, physical randomness, statistical uncertainties, and model uncertainties. The method described is designed to address these uncertainties. The objective of the paper is to present the reliability-based structural life assessment method, and then to use it to evaluate and compare the structural performance of the forward bottom plating of the two patrol boats. The results of the evaluation are presented in the form of graphs and tables in order to facilitate the comparative evaluation. The method is performed within a computer-based format which allows parametric sensitivity analysis of several variables including the size of the plating panel, thickness, operational profile and loading. The sensitivity of the structural life expectancy of the forward bottom plating to variations in these parameters is evaluated.
Simulated annealing is a general approach for approximately solving large combinatorial optimization problems. The algorithm is based on an intriguing combination of ideas from at first sight completely unrelated fiel...
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A methodology for the structural life assessment of a ship's structure is suggested. The methodology is based on probabilistic analysis using reliability concepts and the statistics of extremes. In this approach, ...
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A methodology for the structural life assessment of a ship's structure is suggested. The methodology is based on probabilistic analysis using reliability concepts and the statistics of extremes. In this approach, the estimation of structural life expectancy is based on selected failure modes. All possible failure modes of the ship must be investigated and the most likely paths to structural failure identified. For the purpose of illustration two failure modes are considered in this study. They are plate plastic deformation and fatigue cracking. Structural life based on these two failure modes is determined for an example vessel. The methodology determines the probability of failure of the ship's structural components according to the identified failure modes as a function of time. The results can be interpreted as the cumulative probability distribution function (CDF) of structural life. Due to the unknown level of statistical correlation between failure modes, limits or bounds on the CDF of the structural life are established. The limits correspond to the extreme cases of fully correlated and independent failure modes. The CDFs of structural life are determined for two inspection strategies; namely, inspection every year and inspection every two years with a warranty inspection at the end of the first year. The meaning of the results for the case investigated in this study is that, for example, given an inspection strategy of two years and a desired life of 15 years, there is a 72% chance that the vessel will not experience enough partial damage‘ in the failure modes identified to constitute reaching the “end of structural life” as defined.
A novel approach is described for building intelligent information systems (or knowledge-base management systems). The approach utilizes the knowledge data language, which is a schema specification language developed ...
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A novel approach is described for building intelligent information systems (or knowledge-base management systems). The approach utilizes the knowledge data language, which is a schema specification language developed for the knowledge/data model. The model, referred to as a hypersemantic data model, captures both knowledge semantics, as specified in knowledge-based systems, and data semantics, as represented by semantic data models. Hypersemantic data models facilitate the incorporation of knowledge in the form of heuristics, uncertainty, constraints and other artificial intelligence concepts, together with object-oriented concepts found in semantic data models. The unified knowledge/data modeling features and constructs of the language are used to develop a prototype knowledge base management system, the KDL-advisor.< >
Microcomputers are increasingly being used to aid program evaluators in their word processing, data retrieval, and statistical/mathematical calculations. A new development is the use of microcomputers to process infor...
Microcomputers are increasingly being used to aid program evaluators in their word processing, data retrieval, and statistical/mathematical calculations. A new development is the use of microcomputers to process information concerning alternative programs, policies, decisions, or other options in order to aid in deciding which option or combination is the best. Using microcomputers in this way enables one (1) to avoid the drudgery of the arithmetic, (2) to be prompted into clarifying goals, alternatives, and relations, (3) to try numerous changes to see their effects, and (4) to have one's creativity stimulated in developing better program evaluation.
Air cushion vehicles (ACVs) have operated successfully on commercial routes for about twenty years. The routes are normally quite short; the craft are equipped with radar and radio navigation aids and maintain continu...
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Air cushion vehicles (ACVs) have operated successfully on commercial routes for about twenty years. The routes are normally quite short; the craft are equipped with radar and radio navigation aids and maintain continuous contact with their terminals. Navigation of these craft, therefore, does not present any unusual difficulty. The introduction of air cushion vehicles into military service, however, can present a very different picture, especially when external navigation aids are not available and the craft must navigate by dead reckoning. This paper considers the problems involved when navigating a high-speed air cushion vehicle by dead reckoning in conditions of poor visibility. A method is presented to assess the ACV's navigational capability under these circumstances. A figure of merit is used to determine the sensitivity of factors which affect navigation such as the range of visibility, point-to-point distance, speed, turning radius and accuracy of onboard equipment. The method provides simplistic but adequate answers and can be used effectively to compare the-capability and cost of alternative navigation concepts.
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