Title: A knowledge-based framework for automated layout design in an industrial environment

Authors: Andrea Egidio Ascheri; Francesco Furini; Giorgio Colombo; Eleonora Atzeni; Massimo Ippolito

Addresses: Department of Management and Production Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy; Comau S.p.A, Grugliasco 10095, Italy ' Methods and Tools for Product Design, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20156, Italy ' Methods and Tools for Product Design, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20156, Italy ' Department of Management and Production Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino 10129, Italy ' Comau S.p.A., Grugliasco 10095, Italy

Abstract: Technical knowledge and experience are intangible assets crucial for competitiveness. Knowledge is particularly important when it comes to complex design activities such as the configuration of manufacturing systems. The preliminary design of manufacturing systems is subject to a huge variability of inputs and outputs and involves decisions which must satisfy many competing requirements. This early engineering phase relies mostly on experience of designers and engineers and is associated with long lead times and high probability of mistakes. Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) and knowledge representation techniques are considered to be a successful way to tackle this design problem at an industrial level. This paper presents a methodology to support the configuration of powertrain assembly lines, reducing design times by introducing a best practice for production systems provider companies. The methodology is developed in a real industrial environment, introducing the role of a knowledge engineer. The approach includes extraction of existing technical knowledge and implementation in a knowledge-based software framework. The framework is then integrated with other software tools allowing the first phase design of the line including the line technical description and a 2D and 3D CAD line layout. The KBE application is developed and tested on a specific powertrain assembly case study for which existing knowledge is collected, formalised, implemented in the application and integrated with existing tools. Finally, the paper presents a first validation among design engineers, comparing traditional and new approaches and estimating a cost-benefit analysis useful for future possible KBE implementations.

Keywords: knowledge acquisition; design automation; knowledge-based engineering; KBE; powertrain assembly lines; layout design; intangible assets; manufacturing systems design; knowledge representation; CAD line layout; facility layout; cost-benefit analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2016.079869

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2016 Vol.54 No.3, pp.171 - 183

Received: 24 Oct 2015
Accepted: 07 Dec 2015

Published online: 19 Oct 2016 *

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