Authors: George Q Huang Y F Zhang X Chen Stephen T Newman
Publish Date: 2008/06/20
Volume: 19, Issue: 6, Pages: 701-713
Abstract
Wireless Manufacturing WM is emerging as a nextgeneration advanced manufacturing technology AMT WM relies substantially on wireless devices eg RFID—Radio Frequency Identification or Auto ID—Automatic Identification and on wireless information/communication networks eg WiFi and Bluetooth for the collection and synchronization of manufacturing data This paper proposes a WM framework where RFID devices are deployed to workstations critical tools key components and containers of WIP Work In Progress materials to turn them into socalled smart objects The study is based on a simplified product assembly line Smart objects are tracked and traced and shopfloor disturbances are detected and fed back to decision makers on a realtime basis Such realtime visibility closes the loop of adaptive assembly planning and control A facility called assembly line explorer is provided for the line manager to oversee the status of the entire assembly line and a workstation explorer facility for operators to monitor the status of their operations at corresponding workstations These facilities improve the effectiveness of managerial decisions and operational efficiency
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