Improved Manufacturing Productivity with Recursive Constraint Bounding
Abstract:
Complexity of manufacturing processes has hindered methodical specification of machine settings for improving productivity. For processes where analytical models are available (e.g., turning and grinding), modeling uncertainty caused by diversity of process conditions and time-variability has precluded the application of traditional optimization methods to minimize cost or production time. In these cases, the machine settings are selected conservatively to ensure part quality satisfaction at the expense of longer production times. In other cases, where the process cannot be represented by an analytical model (e.g., injection molding), the machine settings are assigned either by trial and error, based on heuristic knowledge of an experienced operator, or statistical design of experiments methods which require a comprehensive empirical model between the inputs and part quality attributes. The purpose of this thesis is to develop Recursive Constraint Bounding (RCB) as a general methodology for machine setting selection in manufacturing processes. For this, measurements of part quality attributes (e.g., size and surface integrity) will be used as feedback to assess optimality/integrity of the process, and the machine settings will be adjusted so as to improve part quality or reduce production time. RCB will be applied to cylindrical plunge grinding, where an approximate model is available, and injection molding, where adequate process models are unavailable. For cylindrical plunge grinding, RCB will minimize cycle-time while satisfying constraints. For injection molding, RCB will select machine settings that satisfy part quality constraints.
Major Publication(s):
- R. Ivester, K. Danai, and S. Malkin, "Cycle-Time Reduction by Recursive Constraint Bounding", ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 1997, Vol. 119, No. 2, pp. 201-207.
- R. Ivester, and K. Danai, 1996, ``Intelligent Control of Machining Under Modeling Uncertainty,'' CIRP Manufacturing Systems, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 73-79.
