PFF/PECASE: Hardware-Based Simulator for Real-Time Control and Optimization of Flexible Manufacturing Systems

*9629152陈在本奖项期间，获奖者的主要研究重点将是研究一种创新方法，该方法可能在基于微处理器的数字电路模拟方面取得革命性进展，用于先进制造系统的设计和实时控制。基于硬件的模拟器的核心是一个基于微处理器的数字电路板，它由一组模拟柔性制造系统(如工作中心、运输机和装卸站)的完整机械和设备的“微控制箱”组成。对于每个微控制箱，将通过微程序捕获指定资源(设备/机械)的操作逻辑，如不同部件的处理时间、预期故障频率和恢复时间。通过为每个资源使用微处理器，可以设计和制造印刷电路板(PCB)以表示柔性制造系统的总功能和操作条件。在项目的早期阶段，将获得并实施实验室柔性制造系统，作为开发拟议的基于硬件的模拟器的实验试验台。如果成功，本研究成果将为先进制造系统的实时控制和优化提供先进的仿真技术。这项研究还将有助于敏捷和精益生产过程。这项技术可以成为实现虚拟现实(VR)制造技术的集成工具，目前正在通过几个开创性的应用程序进行测试。***

*** 9629152 Chen The major research thrust for the awardee during the period of this award will be to investigate an innovative approach that might enable revolutionary advances in microprocessor-based digital circuit simulation for design and real-time control of advanced manufacturing systems. The core of the hardware-based simulator is a microprocessor-based digital circuit board that is comprised of a collection of "micro control boxes" mimicking the complete array of machinery and equipment of a flexible manufacturing system such as workcenters, transporters, and load/unload stations. For each micro control box, the operating logic of the designated resource (equipment/machinery) such as processing times for different parts, expected breakdown frequency and recovery time will be captured via micro-programs. By using microprocessors for each of the resources, a printed circuit board (PCB) can be designed and built to represent the total functions and operating conditions of a flexible manufacturing system. A laboratory flexible manufacturing system will be acquired and implemented at the early stage of the project to serve as an experimental testbed for the development of the proposed hardware-based simulator. If successful, results of this research will advance simulation technology for real-time control and optimization of advanced manufacturing systems. This research will also assist agile and lean production processes. This technology could become an integrated tool to realize the virtual reality (VR) manufacturing technologies now being tested by a few pioneering applications. ***