Performance of bottleneck shifting for remanufacturing system considering returns' quality grading

Aimed at the remanufacturing system, the effect of the uncertainty of returns＇ quality on bottleneck shifting is investigated. A novel definition of bottleneck station is presented and the probability of a station becoming a bottleneck is also given. By calculating the effective output, the effective operation time （EOT） and the ratio of EOT of each station, the system＇s current bottleneck of effective output time is determined. By calculating the probability coefficient of variation and index of bottleneck shifting, the quantitative performance of bottleneck shifting is obtained. Discrete event simulation and the experiment design method are adopted to simulate the system, in which the proportion of quality grading, repair rates and process routes are considered. The case study shows that the uncertainty of returns＇ quality greatly increases the probability of bottleneck shifting, and with the increase of the discrete degree of the returns＇ repair rate, the bottleneck shifting phenomenon is more obvious. Furthermore, bottleneck shifting is closely related to the process route of the dominating returns＇ quality grade.

A data-driven method to predict future bottlenecks in a remanufacturing system with multi-variant uncertainties

The remanufacturing system is remolding the manufacturing industry by bringing scrapped products back to such a condition that reintegrated performance is just as good as new.The remanufacturing environment is featured by a far deeper level of uncertainty than new manufacturing,such as probabilistic routing files,and highly variable processing time.The stochastic disturbances result in the production bottlenecks,which constrain the productivity of the job shop.The uncertainties in the remanufacturing process cause the bottlenecks to shift when the workshop is processing.Considering this outstanding problem,many researchers try to optimize the production process to mitigate dynamic bottlenecks toward a balanced state.This paper proposes a data-driven method to predict bottlenecks in the remanufacturing system with multi-variant uncertainties.Firstly,discrete event simulation technology is applied to establish a simulation model of the remanufacturing production line and calculate the bottleneck index to identify bottlenecks.Secondly,a data-driven method,auto-regressive moving average(ARMA)model is employed to predict the bottlenecks in the system based on real-time data captured by the Arena software.Finally,the proposed prediction method is verified on real data from the automobile engine remanufacturing production line.

Path planning for MIG surfacing of robot-based remanufacturing system

Robot-based remanufacturing system can scan the worn parts and develop the corresponding models, compare them with the standard model, calculate the weld deposit, implement welding path planning, and repair the worn parts with MIG surfacing automatically. This paper investigates the welding path planning after calibrating, scanning and model rebuilding. The following aspects are contained： introducing the planning principle, selecting the suitable welding process based on welding parameters （current and speed）, calculating welding overlap quantity by the superposition method. Also, it has been verified that good weld profile can be obtained with the optimized parameters.

Remanufacturing system based on totally automatic MIG surfacing via robot

Remanufacturing system is a term of green system project which conforms to the national sustainable development strategy. With the demand of the high adaptability of the varieties of waste machining parts, the short product cycle, the low machining cost and the high product quality are offered. Each step of the remanufacturing system from the beginning of the scanning to the accomplishment of the welding was investigted. Aiming at building a remanufacturing system based on totally automatic MIG surfacing via robot, advanced information technology, remanufacturing technology and management, through the control of the pretreatment and the optimization to minimize the time of remanufacturing and realize the remanufacturing on the terminal products of varieties, were applied. The steps mainly include: 1) using the visual sensor which is installed at the end of the Robot to rapidly get the outline data of the machining part and the pretreatment of the data; 2) rebuilding the curved surface based on the outline data and the integrated CAD material object model; 3) building the remanufacturing model based on the CAD material object model and projecting the remanufacturing process; and 4) accomplishing the remanufacture of the machining part by the technology of MIG surfacing.

Scanner external calibration algorithm based on fixed point in robot remanufacturing system

This paper deals with the scanner exterior calibration algorithm when the scanner is arranged by the robot and the object scanned is fixed on a rotate device in the Robot Remanufacturing System. The method of calibrating the relationship between the scanner coordinate and the robot Tool0, such as the rotation, Rx, Ry, Rz, and the transformation ,Y, Z is studied. The data of Tool0 can be directly obtained from the relationship with the robot base-coordinate. So, the coordinate relationship between the scanner coordinate and the robot base coordinate can be easily gotten. This paper explains the basic algorithm theory, computing method, data collecting process and the resulted data in detail. The calibration algorithm is deduced under the orthogonal coordinate.

Research on Alliance Decision of Dual-Channel Remanufacturing Supply Chain Considering Bidirectional Free-Riding and Cost-Sharing

This study delves into the formation dynamics of alliances within a closed-loop supply chain(CLSC)that encom-passes a manufacturer,a retailer,and an e-commerce platform.It leverages Stackelberg game for this exploration,contrasting the equilibrium outcomes of a non-alliance model with those of three differentiated alliance models.The non-alliance model acts as a crucial benchmark,enabling the evaluation of the motivations for various supply chain entities to engage in alliance formations.Our analysis is centered on identifying the most effective alliance strategies and establishing a coordination within these partnerships.We thoroughly investigate the consequences of diverse alliance behaviors,bidirectional free-riding and cost-sharing,and the resultant effects on the optimal decision-making among supply chain actors.The findings underscore several pivotal insights:(1)The behavior of alliances within the supply chain exerts variable impacts on the optimal pricing and demand of its members.In comparison to the non-alliance(D)model,the manufacturer-retailer(MR)and manufacturer-e-commerce platform(ME)alliances significantly lower both offline and online resale prices for new and remanufactured goods.This adjustment leads to an enhanced demand for products via the MR alliance’s offline outlets and the ME alliance’s online platforms,thereby augmenting the profits for those within the alliance.Conversely,retailer-e-commerce platform(ER)alliance tends to increase the optimal retail price and demand across both online and offline channels.Under specific conditions,alliance behavior can also increase the profits of non-alliance members,and the profits derived through alliance channels also exceed those from non-alliance channels.(2)The prevalence of bidirectional free-riding behavior largely remains constant across different alliance configurations.Across these models,bidirectional free-riding typically elevates the equilibrium prices in offline channel while negatively affecting the equilibrium prices in other channel.(3)The effect of cost-sharing shows relative uniformity across the various alliance models.Across all configurations,cost-sharing tends to reduce the manufacturer’s profits.Nonetheless,alliances initiated by the manufacturer can counteract these negative impacts,providing a strategic pathway to bolster CLSC profitability.

Effect of quality uncertainty of parts on performance of reprocessing system in remanufacturing environment

Aimed at the problem of stochastic routings for reprocessing operations and highly variable processing times,an open queuing network is utilized to model a typical reprocessing system.In the model,each server is subject to breakdown and has a finite buffer capacity,while repair times,breakdown times and service time follow an exponential distribution.Based on the decomposition principle and the expansion methodology,an approximation analytical algorithm is proposed to calculate the mean reprocessing time,the throughput of each server and other parameters of the processing system.Then an approach to determining the quality of disassembled parts is suggested,on the basis of which the effect of parts quality on the performance of the reprocessing system is investigated.Numerical examples show that there is a negative correlation between quality of parts and their mean reprocessing time.Furthermore,marginal reprocessing time of the parts decrease with the drop in their quality.

Improved Ant Colony-Genetic Algorithm for Information Transmission Path Optimization in Remanufacturing Service System

The information transmission path optimization(ITPO) can often a ect the e ciency and accuracy of remanufactur?ing service. However, there is a greater degree of uncertainty and complexity in information transmission of remanu?facturing service system, which leads to a critical need for designing planning models to deal with this added uncer?tainty and complexity. In this paper, a three?dimensional(3D) model of remanufacturing service information network for information transmission is developed, which combines the physic coordinate and the transmitted properties of all the devices in the remanufacturing service system. In order to solve the basic ITPO in the 3D model, an improved 3D ant colony algorithm(Improved AC) was put forward. Moreover, to further improve the operation e ciency of the algorithm, an improved ant colony?genetic algorithm(AC?GA) that combines the improved AC and genetic algorithm was developed. In addition, by taking the transmission of remanufacturing service demand information of certain roller as example, the e ectiveness of AC?GA algorithm was analyzed and compared with that of improved AC, and the results demonstrated that AC?GA algorithm was superior to AC algorithm in aspects of information transmission delay, information transmission cost, and rate of information loss.

Remanufacturing production planning considering quality cost and demand substitution

Aiming to minimize the total production costs in a single planning period, a nonlinear integer programming model for remanufacturing production plans is established considering the influence of different qualities of returns acting on production cost. Three different remanufacturing and discarding strategies are adopted to analyze the change rules of the total production costs. The results returns is greater than indicate that when the number of remanufacturing returns of high the demand, preferentially quality and discarding those of low quality can bring better economic benefits due to manufacturing cost reduction. However, when the number of returns is smaller than the demand, there is no need to consider grading of returns, whereas new demand of remanufacturing. parts are required to satisfy the

Facility location model for a remanufacturing logistics network

First a remanufactming logistics network is con- structed, in which the structure of both the forward logistics and the reverse logistics are of two levels and all the logistics facilities are capacitated. Both the remanufactming products and the new products can be used to meet the demands of customers. Moreover, it is assumed that homogeneous facilities can be designed together into integrated ones, based on which a mixed integer nonlinear programming （MINLP） facility location model of the remanufacturing logistics network with six types of facilities to be sited is built. Then an algorithm based on enumeration for the model is given. The feasible combinations of binary variables are searched by enumeration, and the remaining sub-problems are solved by the LP solver. Finally, the validities of the model and the algorithm are illustrated by means of an example. The result of the sensitivity analysis of parameters indicates that the integration of homogeneous facilities may influence the optimal solution of the problem to a certain degree.

Circular and Adaptive Transformation of the Housing Stock towards a Regenerative Future

The transition from a linear economy to a CE(circular economy)has the potential to reduce resource use,environmental impacts,and waste in the built environment.Creating a CE in the built environment is therefore of fundamental importance to achieve a sustainable society.Through the application of a systemic approach that considers the building as a set of technological subsystems(e.g.vertical closures,roof,furniture,etc.),components(e.g.infill panels),and materials,this paper-starting from a review of the literature on the topic of the CE applied to construction-establishes a framework of circular design strategies and definitions that link the VRPs(value retention processes)framework,based on the R-imperatives,to the Design-for-X strategies.The first research objective is to develop a design tool for circular building components and technological subsystems.

Remanufacturing closed-loop supply chain network design based on genetic particle swarm optimization algorithm

As the huge computation and easily trapped local optimum in remanufacturing closed-loop supply chain network (RCSCN) design considered, a genetic particle swarm optimization algorithm was proposed. The total cost of closed-loop supply chain was selected as fitness function, and a unique and tidy coding mode was adopted in the proposed algorithm. Then, some mutation and crossover operators were introduced to achieve discrete optimization of RCSCN structure. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can gain global optimal solution with good convergent performance and rapidity. The computing speed is only 22.16 s, which is shorter than those of the other optimization algorithms.

Remanufacturing Scheme Design for Used Parts Based on Incomplete Information Reconstruction

The different conditions of use of a component result in a variety of damage levels.Therefore,excluding differences in shape and size,used parts show a high degree of uncertainty regarding failure characteristics,quality conditions,and remaining life,which seriously affects the efficiency of a remanufacturing scheme design.Aiming to address this problem,a remanufacturing scheme design method based on the reconstruction of incomplete information of used parts is proposed.First,the remaining life of the reconstructed model is predicted by finite element analysis,and the demand for the next life cycle is determined.Second,the scanned 3D damage point cloud data are registered with the original point cloud data using the integral iterative method to construct a missing point cloud model to achieve the restoration of geometric information.Then,according to reverse engineering and laser cladding remanufacturing,the tool remanufacturing process path can be generated by the tool contact point path section line method.Finally,the proposed method is adopted for turbine blades to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed scheme.This study proposes a remanufacturing scheme design method based on the incomplete reconstruction of used part information to solve the uncertain and highly personalized problems in remanufacturing.

Developing remanufacturing engineering,constructing cycle economy and building saving-oriented society

In the course of creating immense wealth, manufacturing industry has excessively consumed the resources and energy in the earth, and seriously polluted the environment. To take progress as the sustainable development way, save resource and improve environment, our nation has been advocating to construct the cycle economy and saving-oriented society. Taking the remanufacturing engineering as the representative, the “4R” rule (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Remanufacture) is the important measure to get the goal. Remanufacturing engineering is the industrialization of high-tech maintenance of the waste and worn productions, and is one of the most active factors in “4R”. The development of high and new technology takes the important effect to promote the remanufacturing engineering.

Establishment and application of service mapping model for proactive remanufacturing impeller

Since the complex impeller structure and the difficult remanufacturing process may easily cause advance remanufacturing or excessive use,an optimized design method of impeller and service mapping model was presented for its proactive remanufacturing with setting up to explore the best remanufacturing time point in this work.Considering a certain model of long distance pipeline compressor impeller with the Basquin equation and the design method of impeller,the mathematical relationship between the changes of structure and life of the impeller was established.And the service mapping model between the structure and life was set up and simulated by ANSYS software.Thus,the service mapping model was applied to feedback the original design for proactive remanufacturing.In this work,the best proactive remanufacturing time point of impeller was analyzed with the service mapping model,and the structural parameter values could be optimized at this time point.Meanwhile,in the results of this simulation,it proves that the impeller under this optimization performance could satisfy the impeller operating demands.Therefore,comparing with the traditional optimization design method,the remanufacturing optimized design based on the service mapping model is feasible in proactive remanufacturing for sustainable development.

MODELING AND ROBUST DESIGN OF REMANUFACTURING LOGISTICS NETWORKS BASED ON DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT

The uncertainty of time, quantity and quality of recycling products leads tothe bad stability and flexibility of remanufacturing logistics networks, and general design onlycovered the minimizing logistics cost, thus, robust design is presented here to solve theuncertainty. The mathematical model of remanufacturing logistics networks is built based onstochastic distribution of uncontrollable factors, and robust objectives are presented. Theintegration of mathematical simulation and design of experiment method is performed to do sensitiveanalysis. The influence of each factor and level on the system is investigated, and the main factorsand optimum combination are studied. The numbers of factors, level of each factor and designprocess of experiment are investigated as well. Finally, the process of robust design based ondesign of experiment is demonstrated by a detailed example.

Cell Layout Application in Product Recovery： A Lean Proposal to Increase Efficiency in Remanufacturing

The growing demand of organizations for alternative technologies to reduce environmental damage and meet new legislative issues brought greater focus to the activities of product recovery. One way to recover and revalue a product is by remanufacturing, which is defined as the process of recovering a product to its original specifications, promoting the reuse of materials and improving its quality and functionality. However, the context of the remanufacturing industry faces difficulties and is considered unstable and inefficient if compared to manufacturing. In this sense, this paper aims to propose a cell layout based on lean concepts and adapted to the context of remanufacturing, aiming to minimize waste, reduce variability and thereby increase efficiency. The cell layout proposal was based on a literature review and researchers＇ practical experience in the area. This layout can provide the flexibility to handle the variations inherent in the context of remanufacturing, boosting product recovery and related environmental issues.

Failure analysis used for remanufacturing of steel rolling components

The guide-pieces, used in the process line of steel rolling, were the important components. The guide-pieces, which were slide contacting with the rolled-piece, had a high temperature and high speed. The wear was very serious. The results from failure analysis showed that there were three failure forms in the guide-pieces: the first was the wear during heat friction, the second was the heat fatigue under the cycle of deep heating and deep cooling, and the third was the impact rupture. Among them, the wear was the main reason. To the wear of guide-pieces, there were four mechanisms, namely abrasive wear, adhesive wear, fatigue wear and corrosion wear. The failure analysis to the guide-piece laid the foundation for its remanufacturing.

Benefit analysis and contribution prediction of engine remanufacturing to cycle economy

The first automobile engine remanufacture company in China, Jinan Fuqiang Power Co, Ltd, was introduced. The engine remanufacturing technological process of this company was described. The benefit statistic of remanufacturing 10000 Styer engines were analyzed, and the contribution of engine remanufacturing to cycle economy was predicted. The results show that remanufacturing engineering could use the maximal additional values of obsolete engines, and make contributions to materials conservation, capital saving, energy conservation and environment protection. 10000 engines are supposed to be remanufactured per year, the following benefits would be obtained: reclaiming additional values of RMB3.23 hundred million, saving metallic materials about 7.65 thousand tons, saving energy of 16 million kilowatt-hours, reducing emission of CO2 about 11.3[CD*2]15.3 thousand tons, and providing employment for 500 persons. According to the survey and analysis, tremendous benefits will be gained by the year of 2020. For example, reclaiming additional values per year of 1424[CD*2]2236 hundred million RMB, saving energy per year of 60[CD*2]90 hundred million kilowatt-hours, reducing emission of CO2 about 6.67[CD*2]9.69 million tons. It can be deduced that developing remanufacturing will play an important role in enriching the cycle economy and accelerating the development of national economy.

Comparison of tribological properties for graphite coatings used for remanufacturing

To improve the solid lubricity on the worn surface of frictional-pairs, a convenient and simple brush-painting technique was utilized to prepare the solid lubrication graphite coatings. The bonding between the coatings and substrate is good. To examine the influence of the different graphite contents on the tribological properties of the graphite coatings, the comparison experiments were carried out on the ring-on-block friction tester. The tribological results show a change law of saddle-shape between the tribological properties of graphite coatings and graphite content. When the amount of graphite is up to 28g, the tribological properties of graphite coating are the best. The excellent anti-friction of the graphite coating is associated with the close-packed hexagonal crystal structure of graphite.