Context-Based Resilience in Cyber-Physical Production System

Cyber-physical systems are hybrid networked cyber and engineered physical elements that record data (e.g. using sensors), analyse them using connected services, influence physical processes and interact with human actors using multi-channel interfaces. Examples of CPS interacting with humans in industrial production environments are the so-called cyber-physical production systems (CPPS), where operators supervise the industrial machines, according to the human-in-the-loop paradigm. In this scenario, research challenges for implementing CPPS resilience, promptly reacting to faults, concern: (i) the complex structure of CPPS, which cannot be addressed as a monolithic system, but as a dynamic ecosystem of single CPS interacting and influencing each other; (ii) the volume, velocity and variety of data (Big Data) on which resilience is based, which call for novel methods and techniques to ensure recovery procedures; (iii) the involvement of human factors in these systems. In this paper, we address the design of resilient cyber-physical production systems (R-CPPS) in digital factories by facing these challenges. Specifically, each component of the R-CPPS is modelled as a smart machine, that is, a cyber-physical system equipped with a set of recovery services, a Sensor Data API used to collect sensor data acquired from the physical side for monitoring the component behaviour, and an operator interface for displaying detected anomalous conditions and notifying necessary recovery actions to on-field operators. A context-based mediator, at shop floor level, is in charge of ensuring resilience by gathering data from the CPPS, selecting the proper recovery actions and invoking corresponding recovery services on the target CPS. Finally, data summarisation and relevance evaluation techniques are used for supporting the identification of anomalous conditions in the presence of high volume and velocity of data collected through the Sensor Data API. The approach is validated in a food industry real case study.

Monitoring System for Tracking a PV Generator in an Experimental Smart Microgrid: An Open-Source Solution

Smart grids and smart microgrids (SMGs) require proper monitoring for their operation. To this end, measuring, data acquisition, and storage, as well as remote online visualization of real-time information, must be performed using suitable equipment. An experimental SMG is being deployed that combines photovoltaics and the energy carrier hydrogen through the interconnection of photovoltaic panels, electrolyser, fuel cell, and load around a voltage bus powered by a lithium battery. This paper presents a monitoring system based on open-source hardware and software for tracking the temperature of the photovoltaic generator in such an SMG. In fact, the increases in temperature in PV modules lead to a decrease in their efficiency, so this parameter needs to be measured in order to monitor and evaluate the operation. Specifically, the developed monitoring system consists of a network of digital temperature sensors connected to an Arduino microcontroller, which feeds the acquired data to a Raspberry Pi microcomputer. The latter is accessed by a cloud-enabled user/operator interface implemented in Grafana. The monitoring system is expounded and experimental results are reported to validate the proposal.

Controlling an Industrial Robot Using a Graphic Tablet in Offline and Online Mode

The article presents the possibility of using a graphics tablet to control an industrial robot. The paper presents elements of software development for offline and online control of a robot. The program for the graphic tablet and the operator interface was developed in C# language in Visual Studio environment, while the program controlling the industrial robot was developed in RAPID language in the RobotStudio environment. Thanks to the development of a digital twin of the real robotic workstation, tests were carried out on the correct functioning of the application in offline mode (without using the real robot). The obtained results were verified in online mode (on a real production station). The developed computer programmes have a modular structure, which makes it possible to easily adapt them to one’s needs. The application allows for changing the parameters of the robot and the parameters of the path drawing. Tests were carried out on the influence of the sampling frequency and the tool diameter on the quality of the reconstructed trajectory of the industrial robot. The results confirmed the correctness of the application. Thanks to the new method of robot programming, it is possible to quickly modify the path by the operator, without the knowledge of robot programming languages. Further research will focus on analyzing the influence of screen resolution and layout scale on the accuracy of trajectory generation.

APPLICATION OF BLASTWARE SOFTWARE FOR MEASURING MICROCOLIMIC CONDITIONS

Safety and health at work as per legislation is conceived as an integral part of the organization of work and work process and on this basis is provided every worker and every useful work, regardless of the type and complexity of the work, which is in accordance with the constitutional principle regarding the right of every worker for protection at work. Instantel Blastware software, the Windows software companion to your Instantel vibration monitor offers powerful, easy-to-use features, for event management, compliance reporting and advanced data analysis. Blastware software is designed to perform several tasks to assist with your monitoring operations. The software can be used to program any Series II, III or IV Instantel monitor, manage recorded events, remotely control monitors, as well as customize report content, language, frequency standard, and more. The program consists of two modules: the Compliance Module and the Advanced Module. The Compliance Module comes standard with each Instantel monitor. The Advanced Module, which is optional, includes powerful data analysis features and extended monitor setup options. Powerful Event Manager simplifies file transfer from monitor and file management on the computer, Operator interface is intuitive and user-friendly, Customized Event Reports with over 20 selectable National Frequency Standards to create compliance reports, Easy-to-use Frequency (FFT) Analysis and reporting, Monitoring setup utilities to configure systems for remote monitoring with modem communications, Blastware Mail automatically distributes event data to email and text messaging devices, Transfer event data to ASCII format.The purpose of this paper is the correlation of periodic measurements for the summer season in the company "Newko Balkan L.L.C." - Suharekë, with Instantel Blastware software.

Measurement and classification of human characteristics and capabilities during interaction tasks

In this paperwe address the need to design adaptive interacting systems for advanced industrial production machines. Modern production systems have become highly complex and include many subsidiary functionalities, thus making it difficult for least skilled human operators interact with them. In this regard, adapting the behavior of the machine and of the operator interface to the characteristics of the user allows a more effective interaction process, with a positive impact on manufacturing efficiency and user’s satisfaction. To this end, it is crucial to understandwhich are the user’s capabilities that influence the interaction and, hence, should be measured to provide the correct amount of adaptation.Moving along these lines, in this paper we identify groups of users that, despite having different individual capabilities and features, have common needs and response to the interaction with complex production systems. As a consequence,we define clusters of users that have the same need for adaptation. Then, adaptation rules can be defined by considering such users’ clusters, rather than addressing specific individual user’s needs.