Development of a distributed and integratable manufacturing execution system framework

Using remote method invocation (RMI) and a distributed object-oriented technique, this paper presents a systematic approach to developing a manufacturing execution system (MES) framework, which is open, modularized, distributed, configurable, interoperable and maintainable. Moreover, the design patterns for the framework .are developed and a variety of functional components are designed by inheriting appropriate patterns. And then an application is constructed by invoking corresponding methods of related components. An MES system implementing the framework and design patterns can be facilely integrated with other manufacturing applications, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and floor control system (FCS) .

ARCHITECTURE OF MANUFACTURING EXECUTION SYSTEM IN THE EXTENDED ENTERPRISE

The extended enterprise is formed according to the philosophy of dispersednetworked manufacturing. Manufacturing execution system (MES) can close the information gap whichexists between device control system and production information management system. The functions andthe web-based architecture of the MES in the extended enterprise are introduced. Using thecooperating system models of object-oriented and distributed agents and CORBA, all objects keep touniform interface standards and are easily inserted to object request broker. The utilization ofdistributed MES in extended enterprise can adapt fast change of manufacturing environment andresource. It also can improve the independent management capability of manufacturing cell and theenterprise response capability to global economic competition.

Material-flow Modeling Technology and Its Application in Manufacturing Execution Systems of Petrochemical Industry

The management and control of material flow forms the core of manufacturing execution systems （MES） in the petrochemical industry. The bottleneck in the application of MES is the ability to match the material-flow model with the production processes. A dynamic material-flow model is proposed in this paper after an analysis of the material-flow characteristics of the production process in a petrochemical industry. The main material-flow events are described, including the movement, storage, shifting, recycling, and elimination of the materials. The spatial and temporal characters of the material-flow events are described, and the material-flow model is constructed. The dynamic material-flow model introduced herein is the basis for other subsystems in the MES. In addition, it is the subsystem with the least scale in MES. The dynamic-modeling method of material flow has been applied in the development of the SinoMES model. It helps the petrochemical plant to manage the entire flow information related to tanks and equipments from the aspects of measurement, storage, movement, and the remaining balance of the material. As a result, it matches the production process by error elimination and data reconciliation. In addition, it facilitates the integration of application modules into the MES and guarantees the potential development of SinoMES in future applications.

A model for mold collaborative manufacturing execution system based on Web Service

Mold manufacturing Extended Enterprise （EE） has the following characteristics： distributed in locality, tight cooperation and frequent information exchange. It needs a collaborative, highly efficient, reliable and intelligent manufacturing management system. The background of the Collaborative Manufacturing is introduced. A mold Collaborative Manufacturing Execution System （c-MES） is proposed. The feature of Web Service platform is analyzed. The necessity and feasibility of importing the Web Service to mold c-MES are discussed. Based on Web Service, the model of mold c-MES is built. Every module＇ s function is described in detail, including the functions it supplies and the mechanism of information interaction among them. The feasibility of mold c-MES model is validated by a real mold manufacturing case.

Modeling of Agile Manufacturing Execution Systems with an Agent-based Approach

Agile manufacturing execution systems (AMES) are used to help manufacturers optimize shop floor production in an agile way. And the modeling of AMES is the key issue of realizing AMES. This paper presents an agent-based approach to AMES modeling. Firstly, the characteristics of AMES and its requirements on modeling are discussed. Secondly, a comparative analysis of modeling methods is carried out, and AMES modeling using an agent-based approach is put forward. Agent-based modeling method not only inherit the favorable features of traditional object-oriented modeling method such as data encapsulation, modularity and so on, but also has the ability to construct intelligent, rational and autonomous agent which can cooperate together to realize the goal of agile operation. A general agent architecture used in AMES modeling is described. Under this architecture, an agent can be divided into domain-independent components and domain-specific components which helps solve problems such as information overload, incomplete information handling and soft decision-making. Furthermore, an AMES model using four types of agents, i.e., interface agent, information agent, resource agent and management agent, is established. Thirdly, a snapshot of AMES model is provided in the case study. Especially, an agent-based cooperating process of task scheduling in AMES is illustrated in detail. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of this modeling approach are discussed as well.

Modeling Research on Manufacturing Execution System Based on Large-scale System Cybernetics

A cybernetics model of manufacturing execution system(MES CM) was proposed and studied from the viewpoint of cybernetics.Combining with the features of manufacturing system, the MES CM was modeled by"generalized modeling"method that is discussed in large-scale system theory.The mathematical model of MES CM was constructed by the generalized operator model, and the main characteristics of MES CM were analyzed.

A Novel Mechanism for TRF of Plant-wide Material Flows in Process Industry MES

This paper is standing on the recent viewpoint originated from relevant industrial practices that well or-ganized tracing, representing and feedback(TRF) mechanism of material-flow information is crucial for system utility and usability of manufacturing execution systems(MES), essentially, for activities on the side of multi-level decision making and optimization mainly in the planning and scheduling. In this paper, we investigate a key issue emphasized on a route of multi-level information evolution on the side of large-scale feedback, where material-flow states could evolve from the measuring data(local states) to networked event-type information cells(global states) and consequently to the key performance indicators(KPI) type information(gross states). Importantly, with adapta-bilities to frequent structural dynamics residing in running material flows, this evolving route should be modeled as a suit of sophisticated mechanism for large-scale dynamic states tracking and representing so as to upgrade accu-racy and usability of the feedback information in MES. To clarify inherent complexities of this evolving route, the investigated issue is demonstrated from extended process systems engineering(PSE) point of view, and the TRF principles of the multi-level feedback information(states) are highlighted under the multi-scale methodology. As the main contribution, a novel mechanism called TRF modeling mechanism is introduced.

Application of MES System in Offshore Oil and Gas Field Production Management

In order to solve information island problem of offshore oil and gas field production-related information system,including repetitive reporting and input of data,data isolation of central control system,inadequate follow-up analysis and development to support oil and gas field production management,and so on.Therefore,the introduction of MES(Manufacturing Execution System)production execution system in the manufacturing industry and downstream production of offshore oil has become an inevitable choice.This system utilizes the real-time database combined with relational database to collect the scattered structured data,such as the production process real-time data,production management documents and statistical tables of offshore oil and gas production facilities.It establishes a unified data center platform for each operation area and production site,so as to centralize the related production management data at production sites.This system realizes many functions,including the production management support like production report generation as well as presentation and POB,equipment management support like PM optimization,remote configuration and monitoring of production operation,status trend analysis,and production event prediction.The implementation of MES system in offshore oil and gas field production management perfects the overall information system of China National Offshore Oil Corporation more and gradually enhances its comprehensive benefits.

Controlling and regulation of integrated aquaponic production systems – An approach for a management execution system (MES)

Manufacturing execution systems(MESs)play a significant role in the manufacturing paradigm.MES is there to link between the Enterprise Resource Planning(ERP)systems and the plant equipment control or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition(SCADA)applications.In this paper the MES of the INAPRO aquaponics system which was developed to support and advise the aquaponics managers in operating the complex aquaponic farms,will be presented.One important feature of the INAPRO aquaponics system is to minimize fresh water<3%,energy and nutrient supplies.This can only be achieved by appropriate design of the fish and crop mixture,considering the fish to crop ratio,when to sow the crops etc.and to monitor the system to see whether it performing as designed or not.Therefore,the MES has a view to show the designed system with all the material flow(water,energy and nutrients)balances and also how the system will be performing for a given predictive horizon.Knowing the future developments of the system,the operator can taking corrective measures to make sure that the system is behaving as required.An example of water balance of a system with 40 m3 fish tanks coupled with a hydroponic NFT system with 1,000 m2 which can produce five tons of Tilapia and 75 tons of tomato yearly is given.

A framework for ICT-enabled real-time production planning and control

This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework for real-time production planning and control（PPC）.Firstly,we discuss the most prominently applied contemporary information and communication technologies for PPC.Enterprise resource planning（ERP） systems that integrate the value chain in an enterprise,manufacturing execution systems that manage and control the production on shopfloor,and advanced planning and scheduling（APS）systems that develop solutions for complex planning problems are the planning and control systems that have been analyzed.We emphasize the application of radio frequency identification as the most advanced and promising emerging real-time data capture technology that is currently available to manufacturers.Having analyzed the features and shortcomings of the individual systems perse,and by considering the advantages that may be realized through effective integration of these otherwise discrete systems,we propose a framework for real-time PPC.