Using information flow model to specify the Kanban-controlled shopfloor control system

The implementation of Kanban-based production control systems may be difficult in make-to-order environments such as job shops. The flexible manufacturing approach constitutes a promising solution to adapt the Kanban method to such environments. This paper presents an information flow modelling approach for specifying the operational planning and control functions of the Kanban-controlled shopfloor control system (KSCS) in a flexible manufacturing environment. By decomposing the KSCS control functionalities, we have created the system information flow model through the data flow diagrams of Structured Systems Analysis Methodology. The data flow diagrams serve effective system specifications for communicating the system operations to participants of different disciplines as well as the system model for the design and development of KSCS.

Problem of precision missile guidance: LQR and H‡ control frameworks

Addressed here is the precision missile guidance problem where the successful intercept criterion has been defined in terms of both minimizing the miss distance and controlling the missile body attitude with respect to the target at the terminal point. We show that the H∞ control theory, when suitably modified, provides an effective framework for the precision missile guidance problem. The existence of feedback controllers (guidance laws) is investigated for the case of finite horizon and non-zero initial conditions. Both state feedback and output feedback implementations are explored.

On-line tool condition monitoring and control system in forging processes

Cold bulk metal forming has made large-scale production of small complex solid parts economically feasible. Tooling used in metal forming poses many uncertainties in the preliminary cost estimation and production process and continual tool replacement and maintenance dramatically reduces productivity and raises manufacturing cost. In order to tackle this, an on-line tool condition monitoring system using artificial neural network (ANN) to integrate information from multiple sensors for forging process has been developed. Together with the force, acoustic emission signals and process conditions, information developed from theoretical models is integrated into the ANN tool monitoring system to predict tool life and provide the maintenance schedule.

Knowledge sharing in professional accountancy firms : the effects of task complexity and management control system

Numerous empirical studies on knowledge management have focused on effectiveness of enablers such as organizational structure (Bennett and Gabriel, 1999; Gold et al., 2001), technology (Gold et al., 2001; O’Dell and Grayson, 1998), culture (DeLong and Fahey, 2000; Gupta and Govindarajan, 2000), managerial system (Nonaka, 1994; Sveiby, 1997) and strategy (Bierly and Chakrabarti, 1996; Holsapple and Joshi, 2001) on knowledge sharing. These enablers are organizational infrastructure or mechanism for facilitating the sharing of knowledge in a firm. In knowledge-intensive firms, task complexity and management control systems (MCS) can potentially affect the mode and effectiveness of knowledge sharing. However, these two factors have not been distinctly and explicitly investigated and discussed in literature relevant to the domain of knowledge sharing and management. This study proposes to examine how task complexity and the design of MCS could be the key determinants of the mode and effectiveness of knowledge sharing in professional accounting firms or practices.

Exact-estimator-based terminal sliding mode control system design

This paper investigates an estimator-based terminal sliding mode control system. An exact estimator is proposed to exactly estimate the unknown uncertainties in finite time. The output of the exact estimator is used to design a continuous chattering free terminal sliding mode control. The time taken for the closed-loop system to reach zero tracking error is proven to be finite. Experiment results are presented, using a real time digital-signal-processor (DSP) based electromagnetic levitation system to implement the control performance.

Investigation of hydraulic fracture propagation using a post-peak control system coupled with acoustic emission

This study investigates the fracture mechanism of fluid coupled with a solid resulting from hydraulic fracture. A new loading machine was designed to improve upon conventional laboratory hydraulic fracture testing and to provide a means of better understanding fracture behavior of solid media. Test specimens were made of cement mortar. An extensometer and acoustic emission (AE) monitoring system recorded the circumferential deformation and crack growth location/number during the test. To control the crack growth at the post-peak stage the input fluid rate can be adjusted automatically according to feedback from the extensometer. The complete stress-deformation curve, including pre- and post-peak stages, was therefore obtained. The crack extension/growth developed intensively after the applied stress reached the breakdown pressure. The number of cracks recorded by the AE monitoring system was in good agreement with the amount of deformation (expansion) recorded by the extensometer. The results obtained in this paper provide a better understanding of the hydraulic fracture mechanism which is useful for underground injection projects. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Wien.

Adaptive fuzzy multi-surface sliding control of multiple-input and multiple-output autonomous flight systems

In this study, we proposed an adaptive fuzzy multi-surface sliding control (AFMSSC) for trajectory tracking of 6 degrees of freedom inertia coupled aerial vehicles with multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO). It is shown that an adaptive fuzzy logic-based function approximator can be used to estimate the system uncertainties and an iterative multi-surface sliding control design can be carried out to control flight. Using AFMSSC on MIMO autonomous flight systems creates confluent control that can account for both matched and mismatched uncertainties, system disturbances and excitation in internal dynamics. It is proved that the AFMSSC system guarantees asymptotic output tracking and ultimate uniform boundedness of the tracking error. Simulation results are presented to validate the analysis.

A dynamic time warped clustering technique for discrete event simulation-based system analysis

Abstract This paper introduces a novel approach for discrete event simulation output analysis. The approach combines dynamic time warping and clustering to enable the identification of system behaviours contributing to overall system performance, by linking the clustering cases to specific causal events within the system. Simulation model event logs have been analysed to group entity flows based on the path taken and travel time through the system. The proposed approach is investigated for a discrete event simulation of an international airport baggage handling system. Results show that the method is able to automatically identify key factors that influence the overall dwell time of system entities, such as bags that fail primary screening. The novel analysis methodology provides insight into system performance, beyond that achievable through traditional analysis techniques. This technique also has potential application to agent-based modelling paradigms and also business event logs traditionally studied using process mining techniques.

Surveillance, responsibility and control: an analysis of government and industry discourses about 'problem' and 'responsible' gambling

Background: Discussions of gambling have traditionally focused on ideas of “problem” and “responsible” gambling. However, few studies have examined how Institutions attempt to exert social control over gamblers in order to promote so-called “responsible” behaviour. In this study, we examine the way “problem” and “responsible” gambling are discussed by Australian governments and the gambling industry, using a theoretical framework based on the work of Foucault.

Method: We conducted a thematic analysis of discourses surrounding problem and responsible gambling in government and gambling industry websites, television campaigns and responsible gambling materials.

Results: Documents distinguished between gambling, which was positive for the community, and problem gambling, which was portrayed as harmful and requiring medical intervention. The need for responsible gambling was emphasised in many of the documents, and reinforced by mechanisms including self-monitoring, self-control and surveillance of gamblers.

Conclusions: Government and industry expect gamblers to behave “responsibly”, and are heavily influenced by neoliberal ideas of rational, controlled subjects in their conceptualisation of what constitutes “responsible behaviour”. As a consequence, problem gamblers become constructed as a deviant group. This may have significant consequences for problem gamblers, such as the creation of stigma.

An investigation into using SAP-PS as a multidimensional project control system (MPCS)

This paper investigates the effectiveness of using a corporate enterprise resource planning (ERP) system as a multi-dimensional project control system (MPCS) to monitor and control the work performed on projects, meet the needs and expectations of the project managers and support the requirements of other key stakeholders. A qualitative approach i.e. case study interviews and literature review accompanied by a quantitative computer system validation test approach was deployed. The results from this study suggest that the corporate ERP system is effective at monitoring and controlling the project stakeholder success criteria within a fully integrated environment. The system does however need to be setup and configured for the purpose of MPCS. This study contributes to the field by providing empirical evidence that corporate ERP systems are likely one of the only systems truly capable of solving the age old problem of how to expand the traditional singular dimensional approaches commonly used in project control, thus multiple control dimensions are integrated with each other and other business systems to form a multi-dimensional project control system.