Modern manufacturing processes have become more reliant on automation because of the accelerated transition from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0.Manual inspection of products on assembly lines remains inefficient,prone t...Modern manufacturing processes have become more reliant on automation because of the accelerated transition from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0.Manual inspection of products on assembly lines remains inefficient,prone to errors and lacks consistency,emphasizing the need for a reliable and automated inspection system.Leveraging both object detection and image segmentation approaches,this research proposes a vision-based solution for the detection of various kinds of tools in the toolkit using deep learning(DL)models.Two Intel RealSense D455f depth cameras were arranged in a top down configuration to capture both RGB and depth images of the toolkits.After applying multiple constraints and enhancing them through preprocessing and augmentation,a dataset consisting of 3300 annotated RGB-D photos was generated.Several DL models were selected through a comprehensive assessment of mean Average Precision(mAP),precision-recall equilibrium,inference latency(target≥30 FPS),and computational burden,resulting in a preference for YOLO and Region-based Convolutional Neural Networks(R-CNN)variants over ViT-based models due to the latter’s increased latency and resource requirements.YOLOV5,YOLOV8,YOLOV11,Faster R-CNN,and Mask R-CNN were trained on the annotated dataset and evaluated using key performance metrics(Recall,Accuracy,F1-score,and Precision).YOLOV11 demonstrated balanced excellence with 93.0%precision,89.9%recall,and a 90.6%F1-score in object detection,as well as 96.9%precision,95.3%recall,and a 96.5%F1-score in instance segmentation with an average inference time of 25 ms per frame(≈40 FPS),demonstrating real-time performance.Leveraging these results,a YOLOV11-based windows application was successfully deployed in a real-time assembly line environment,where it accurately processed live video streams to detect and segment tools within toolkits,demonstrating its practical effectiveness in industrial automation.The application is capable of precisely measuring socket dimensions by utilising edge detection techniques on YOLOv11 segmentation masks,in addition to detection and segmentation.This makes it possible to do specification-level quality control right on the assembly line,which improves the ability to examine things in real time.The implementation is a big step forward for intelligent manufacturing in the Industry 4.0 paradigm.It provides a scalable,efficient,and accurate way to do automated inspection and dimensional verification activities.展开更多
Aircraft assembly is characterized by stringent precedence constraints,limited resource availability,spatial restrictions,and a high degree of manual intervention.These factors lead to considerable variability in oper...Aircraft assembly is characterized by stringent precedence constraints,limited resource availability,spatial restrictions,and a high degree of manual intervention.These factors lead to considerable variability in operator workloads and significantly increase the complexity of scheduling.To address this challenge,this study investigates the Aircraft Pulsating Assembly Line Scheduling Problem(APALSP)under skilled operator allocation,with the objective of minimizing assembly completion time.A mathematical model considering skilled operator allocation is developed,and a Q-Learning improved Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm(QLPSO)is proposed.In the algorithm design,a reverse scheduling strategy is adopted to effectively manage large-scale precedence constraints.Moreover,a reverse sequence encoding method is introduced to generate operation sequences,while a time decoding mechanism is employed to determine completion times.The problem is further reformulated as a Markov Decision Process(MDP)with explicitly defined state and action spaces.Within QLPSO,the Q-learning mechanism adaptively adjusts inertia weights and learning factors,thereby achieving a balance between exploration capability and convergence performance.To validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach,extensive computational experiments are conducted on benchmark instances of different scales,including small,medium,large,and ultra-large cases.The results demonstrate that QLPSO consistently delivers stable and high-quality solutions across all scenarios.In ultra-large-scale instances,it improves the best solution by 25.2%compared with the Genetic Algorithm(GA)and enhances the average solution by 16.9%over the Q-learning algorithm,showing clear advantages over the comparative methods.These findings not only confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm but also provide valuable theoretical references and practical guidance for the intelligent scheduling optimization of aircraft pulsating assembly lines.展开更多
Shuffled frog leaping algorithm( SFLA) was used to solve multi-objective sequencing problem of mixed model assembly line( MMAL). Local convergence can be avoided and optimal solution can be obtained to a certain exten...Shuffled frog leaping algorithm( SFLA) was used to solve multi-objective sequencing problem of mixed model assembly line( MMAL). Local convergence can be avoided and optimal solution can be obtained to a certain extent. However,the multi-objective sequencing problem of MMAL is an non-deterministic polynomial hard( NP-hard) problem and the shortcomings are slow convergence rate and low precision. To solve the shortcomings for optimization objectives of minimizing total utility time and keeping average consumption rate of parts, a chaos differential evolution SFLA( CDESFLA) is proposed in this study. Because SFLA is easy to fall into local optimum,the evolution operator of differential evolution algorithms is introduced in SFLA as a local search strategy,and differential mutation operator is introduced in chaotic sequence to prevent premature convergence. The examples show that the proposed CDESFLA is better for convergence accuracy than SFLA,genetic algorithm( GA) and particle swarm optimization( PSO)展开更多
This paper aimed to present the optimization of energy resource management in a car factory by the adaptive current search (ACS)—one of the most efficient metaheuristic optimization search techniques. Assembly lines ...This paper aimed to present the optimization of energy resource management in a car factory by the adaptive current search (ACS)—one of the most efficient metaheuristic optimization search techniques. Assembly lines of a specific car factory considered as a case study are balanced by the ACS to optimize their energy resource management. The workload variance of the line is performed as the objective function to be minimized in order to increase the productivity. In this work, the ACS is used to address the number of tasks assigned for each workstation, while the sequence of tasks is assigned by factory. Three real-world assembly line balancing (ALB) problems from a specific car factory are tested. Results obtained by the ACS are compared with those obtained by the genetic algorithm (GA), tabu search (TS) and current search (CS). As results, the ACS outperforms other algorithms. By using the ACS, the productivity can be increased and the energy consumption of the lines can be decreased significantly.展开更多
The growing global competition compels manufacturing organizations to engage themselves in all productivity improvement activities. In this direction, the consideration of mixed-model assembly line balancing problem a...The growing global competition compels manufacturing organizations to engage themselves in all productivity improvement activities. In this direction, the consideration of mixed-model assembly line balancing problem and implementing in industries plays a major role in improving organizational productivity. In this paper, the mixed model assembly line balancing problem with deterministic task times is considered. The authors made an attempt to develop a genetic algorithm for realistic design of the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem. The design is made using the originnal task times of the models, which is a realistic approach. Then, it is compared with the generally perceived design of the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem.展开更多
This brief review discusses the behavioral consequences of two pharmacologically selected lines of rats. Flinders Sensitive (FSL) and Flinders Resistant (FRL) Lines of rats were selected on the basis of differential h...This brief review discusses the behavioral consequences of two pharmacologically selected lines of rats. Flinders Sensitive (FSL) and Flinders Resistant (FRL) Lines of rats were selected on the basis of differential hypothermic and behavioral responses to the anticholinesterase, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP). FSL rats are more sensitive to the hypothermic effects of cholinergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic agonists but less sensitive to the locomotor or stereotypic effects of dopamine agonists. FSL rats exhibit greater immobility in the forced swim test and reduced social interaction compared with FRL rats, but do not differ in saccharin intake, behavior in the elevated plus maze, or responses for rewarding brain self-stimulation. The exaggerated immobility and reduced social interaction are counteracted by chronic treatment with antidepressants. Because FSL rats were more sensitive to 5-HT1A receptor agonists, high (HDS) and low (LDS) 8-OH-DPATsensitive lines were selectively bred for differential hypothermic responses to the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). HDS rats were also more sensitive to the hypothermic effects of oxotremorine, a cholinergic agonist, but selection for this response did not diverge with later selection. HDS rats exhibited greater immobility in the forced swim test than LDS rats and this correlated response could be seen early in selection (generation 3). HDS rats also showed reduced social interaction compared to LDS rats, but did not differ in behavior in the elevated plus maze. These findings confirm that selection for hypothermic responses to pharmacological agents do have behavioral consequences, notably the production of depressive-like phenotypes, which can be counteracted by chronic antidepressant treatment. Because increased 5-HT1A receptor sensitivity was common to both selected lines (FSL and HDS), neurobiological processes dependent on this receptor could contribute to the abnormal behaviors that manifest in these rat lines and thus suggesting a mechanism underlying depressive behaviors in humans. However, available human data are inconsistent with this hypothesis and suggest that other mechanisms underlie these behavioral abnormalities in HDS and FSL rats. These mechanisms as well as additional behavioral testing in these rat lines will be discussed.展开更多
In an aircraft final assembly line(AFAL),the rational scheduling of assembly workers to complete tasks in an orderly manner is crucial for enhancing production efficiency.This paper addresses the multi-skilled worker ...In an aircraft final assembly line(AFAL),the rational scheduling of assembly workers to complete tasks in an orderly manner is crucial for enhancing production efficiency.This paper addresses the multi-skilled worker scheduling problem in the AFAL,where the processing time of each task varies due to the assigned workers’skill levels,referred to as variable duration.The objective is to minimize the makespan,i.e.,the total time required for all workers to complete all tasks.A mixed integer linear programming model is formulated under complex constraints including assembly precedence relations,skill requirements,worker skill capabilities,and workspace capacities.To solve the model effectively,a multi-pass priority rule-based heuristic(MPRH)algorithm is proposed.This algorithm integrates 14 activity priority rules and nine worker priority rules with worker weights.Extensive experiments iteratively the best-performing priority rules,and the most effective rule subsets are integrated through a lightweight multi-pass mechanism to enhance its efficiency.The computational results demonstrate that the MPRH can find high-quality solutions effectively within very short central processing unit central processing unit(CPU)time compared to GUROBI.A case study based on real data obtained from an AFAL confirms the necessity and the feasibility of the approach in practical applications.Sensitivity analyses provide valuable insights to real production scenarios.展开更多
Due to the NP-hardness of the two-sided assembly line balancing （TALB） problem, multiple constraints existing in real applications are less studied, especially when one task is involved with several constraints. In ...Due to the NP-hardness of the two-sided assembly line balancing （TALB） problem, multiple constraints existing in real applications are less studied, especially when one task is involved with several constraints. In this paper, an effective hybrid algorithm is proposed to address the TALB problem with multiple constraints （TALB-MC）. Considering the discrete attribute of TALB-MC and the continuous attribute of the standard teaching-learning-based optimization （TLBO） algorithm, the random-keys method is hired in task permutation representation, for the purpose of bridging the gap between them. Subsequently, a special mechanism for handling multiple constraints is developed. In the mechanism, the directions constraint of each task is ensured by the direction check and adjustment. The zoning constraints and the synchronism constraints are satisfied by teasing out the hidden correlations among constraints. The positional constraint is allowed to be violated to some extent in decoding and punished in cost fimction. Finally, with the TLBO seeking for the global optimum, the variable neighborhood search （VNS） is further hybridized to extend the local search space. The experimental results show that the proposed hybrid algorithm outperforms the late acceptance hill-climbing algorithm （LAHC） for TALB-MC in most cases, especially for large-size problems with multiple constraints, and demonstrates well balance between the exploration and the exploitation. This research proposes an effective and efficient algorithm for solving TALB-MC problem by hybridizing the TLBO and VNS.展开更多
"Factory physics principles" provided a method to evaluate the performance of a simple production line, whose fundamental parameters are known or given. However, it is difficult to obtain the exact and reaso..."Factory physics principles" provided a method to evaluate the performance of a simple production line, whose fundamental parameters are known or given. However, it is difficult to obtain the exact and reasonable parameters in actual manufacturing environment, especially for the complex chipset assembly & test production line(CATPL). Besides, research in this field tends to focus on evaluation and improvement of CATPL without considering performance interval and status with variability level. A developed internal benchmark method is proposed, which established three-parameter method based on the Little′s law. It integrates the variability factors, such as processing time, random failure time, and random repair time, to meet performance evaluation and improvement. A case study in a chipset assembly and test factory for the performance of CATPL is implemented. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed method to meet performance evaluation and emphasise its relevance for practical applications.展开更多
Mixed-model U-shaped assembly line balancing problems (MMUALBP) is known to be NP-hard resulting in it being nearly impossible to obtain an optimal solution for practical problems with deterministic algorithms. This p...Mixed-model U-shaped assembly line balancing problems (MMUALBP) is known to be NP-hard resulting in it being nearly impossible to obtain an optimal solution for practical problems with deterministic algorithms. This paper pre-sents a new evolutionary method called combinatorial optimisation with coincidence algorithm (COIN) being applied to Type I problems of MMUALBP in a just-in-time production system. Three objectives are simultaneously considered;minimum number workstations, minimum work relatedness, and minimum workload smoothness. The variances of COIN are also proposed, i.e. CNSGA II, and COIN-MA. COIN and its variances are tested against a well-known algo-rithm namely non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA II) and MNSGA II (a memetic version of NSGA II). Experimental results showed that COIN outperformed NSGA II. In addition, although COIN-MA uses a marginal CPU time than CNSGA II, its other performances are dominated.展开更多
In response to the deficiencies of commonly used optimization methods for assembly lines,a production demand-oriented optimization method for assembly lines is proposed.Taking a certain compressor assembly line as an ...In response to the deficiencies of commonly used optimization methods for assembly lines,a production demand-oriented optimization method for assembly lines is proposed.Taking a certain compressor assembly line as an example,the production rhythm and the number of workstations are calculated based on production requirements and working systems.With assembly rhythm and smoothing index as optimization goals,an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed for process allocation.Subsequently,Flexsim simulation is used to analyze the assembly line.The final results show that after optimization using the improved particle swarm algorithm,the assembly line balance rate increased from 71.1%to 85.9%,and the assembly line smoothing index decreased from 47.4 to 29.8,significantly enhancing assembly efficiency.This demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed optimization method for the assembly line and provides a reference for other products in the same industry.展开更多
To solve the sequencing problem in mixed-model flexible assembly lines (MMFALs) with variable launching intervals, a mathematical model aiming to minimize the cost of utility and idle times is developed. To obtain hig...To solve the sequencing problem in mixed-model flexible assembly lines (MMFALs) with variable launching intervals, a mathematical model aiming to minimize the cost of utility and idle times is developed. To obtain high-quality sequences, an advanced scatter search (ASS) algorithm is proposed. A heuristic approach, i.e. launching intervals between products algorithm (LIBPA), is incorporated into the ASS algorithm to solve the launching interval problem for each sequence. Numerical experiments with different scales are conducted to compare the performance of ASS with genetic algorithm (GA). In addition, we compare the cost of variable launching intervals approach with fixed launching intervals approach. The results indicate that the ASS is efficient and effective, and considering variable launching intervals in mixed-model assembly lines (MMALs) sequencing problem can improve the performance of the line.展开更多
With rapid growth of power demand, transmission capacity is also in urgent need of upgrading. In some cases, converting existing AC transmission lines to DC lines can Improve the transmission capacity and reduce the c...With rapid growth of power demand, transmission capacity is also in urgent need of upgrading. In some cases, converting existing AC transmission lines to DC lines can Improve the transmission capacity and reduce the construction investment. In this paper, the upstream finite element method was expanded to calculate the total electric field of same tower multi-circuit DC lines converted from double-circuit AC lines, and the validity of the algorithm was confirmed by experiments. Taking a DC line converted from a typical same tower 500 kV double-circuit AC transmission line as an example, the surface electric field and the ground total electric field in different pole conductor arrangement schemes were calculated and analyzed, and the critical height of pole conductors for DC lines in residential and non-residential area were determined. Then, the corridor width of DC and AC lines at critical height in residential and non-residential areas before and after AC-DC line transformation were compared. The results indicate that for DC lines converted from common 500 kV double-circuit AC lines, the ground total electric field can meet the requirements of corresponding standard with appropriate pole conductor arrangement schemes.展开更多
The growing global competition compels organizations to use many productivity improvement techniques. In this direction, assembly line balancing helps an organization to design its assembly line such that its balancin...The growing global competition compels organizations to use many productivity improvement techniques. In this direction, assembly line balancing helps an organization to design its assembly line such that its balancing efficiency is maximized. If the organization assembles more than one model in the same line, then the objective is to maximize the average balancing efficiency of the models of the mixed model assembly line balancing problem. Maximization of average balancing efficiency of the models along with minimization of makespan of sequencing models forms a multi-objective function. This is a realistic objective function which combines the balancing efficiency and makespan. This assembly line balancing problem with multi-objective comes under combinatorial category. Hence, development of meta-heuristic is inevitable. In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop three genetic algorithms for the mixed model assembly line balancing problem such that the average balancing efficiency of the model is maximized and the makespan of sequencing the models is minimized. Finally, these three algorithms and another algorithm in literature modified to solve the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem are compared in terms of the stated multi-objective function using a randomly generated set of problems through a complete factorial experiment.展开更多
In a manufacturing industry, mixed model assembly line(MMAL) is preferred in order to meet the variety in product demand. MMAL balancing helps in assembling products with similar characteristics in a random fashion. T...In a manufacturing industry, mixed model assembly line(MMAL) is preferred in order to meet the variety in product demand. MMAL balancing helps in assembling products with similar characteristics in a random fashion. The objective of this work aims in reducing the number of workstations, work load index between stations and within each station. As manual contribution of workers in final assembly line is more, ergonomics is taken as an additional objective function. Ergonomic risk level of a workstation is evaluated using a parameter called accumulated risk posture(ARP), which is calculated using rapid upper limb assessment(RULA) check sheet. This work is based on the case study of an MMAL problem in Rane(Madras) Ltd.(India), in which a problem based genetic algorithm(GA) has been proposed to minimize the mentioned objectives. The working of the genetic operators such as selection, crossover and mutation has been modified with respect to the addressed MMAL problem. The results show that there is a significant impact over productivity and the process time of the final assembled product, i.e., the rate of production is increased by 39.5% and the assembly time for one particular model is reduced to 13 min from existing 18 min. Also, the space required using the proposed assembly line is only 200 m2 against existing 350 m2. Further, the algorithm helps in reducing workers fatigue(i.e., ergonomic friendly).展开更多
A two-sided assembly line is typically found in plants producing large-sized products. Its advantages over a one-sided line and the difficulties faced in two-sided line balancing problems were discussed. A mathematica...A two-sided assembly line is typically found in plants producing large-sized products. Its advantages over a one-sided line and the difficulties faced in two-sided line balancing problems were discussed. A mathematical model for two-ALB problem was suggested. A modification of the “ranked positional weight” method, namely two-ALB RPW for two-ALB problems was developed. Experiments were carried out to verify the performance of the proposed method and the results show that it is effective in solving two-sided assembly line balancing problems.展开更多
This paper presents an application of the simulated annealing algorithm to solve level schedules in mixed model assembly line. Solving production sequences with both number of setups and material usage rates to the mi...This paper presents an application of the simulated annealing algorithm to solve level schedules in mixed model assembly line. Solving production sequences with both number of setups and material usage rates to the minimum rate will optimize the level schedule. Miltenburg algorithm (1989) is first used to get seed sequence to optimize further. For this the utility time of the line and setup time requirement on each station is considered. This seed sequence is optimized by simulated annealing. This investigation helps to understand the importance of utility in the assembly line. Up to 15 product sequences are taken and constructed by using randomizing method and find the objective function value for this. For a sequence optimization, a meta-heuristic seems much more promising to guide the search into feasible regions of the solution space. Simulated annealing is a stochastic local search meta-heuristic, which bases the acceptance of a modified neighboring solution on a probabilistic scheme inspired by thermal processes for obtaining low-energy states in heat baths. Experimental results show that the simulated annealing approach is favorable and competitive compared to Miltenburg’s constructive algorithm for the problems set considered. It is proposed to found 16,985 solutions, the time taken for computation is 23.47 to 130.35, and the simulated annealing improves 49.33% than Miltenberg.展开更多
Numerous clothing enterprises in the market have a relatively low efficiency of assembly line planning due to insufficient optimization of bottleneck stations.As a result,the production efficiency of the enterprise is...Numerous clothing enterprises in the market have a relatively low efficiency of assembly line planning due to insufficient optimization of bottleneck stations.As a result,the production efficiency of the enterprise is not high,and the production organization is not up to expectations.Aiming at the problem of flexible process route planning in garment workshops,a multi-object genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the assembly line bal-ance optimization problem and minimize the machine adjustment path.The encoding method adopts the object-oriented path representation method,and the initial population is generated by random topology sorting based on an in-degree selection mechanism.The multi-object genetic algorithm improves the mutation and crossover operations according to the characteristics of the clothing process to avoid the generation of invalid offspring.In the iterative process,the bottleneck station is optimized by reasonable process splitting,and process allocation conforms to the strict limit of the station on the number of machines in order to improve the compilation efficiency.The effectiveness and feasibility of the multi-object genetic algorithm are proven by the analysis of clothing cases.Compared with the artificial allocation process,the compilation efficiency of MOGA is increased by more than 15%and completes the optimization of the minimum machine adjustment path.The results are in line with the expected optimization effect.展开更多
AIM:There are conflicting data about p53 function on cellular sensitivity to the cytotoxic action of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Therefore the objective of this study was to determine the combined effects of adenovirus-med...AIM:There are conflicting data about p53 function on cellular sensitivity to the cytotoxic action of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Therefore the objective of this study was to determine the combined effects of adenovirus-mediated wild-type (wt) p53 gene transfer and 5-FU chemotherapy on pancreatic cancer cells with different p53 gene status. METHODS:Human pancreatic cancer cell lines Capan-1^(p53mut), Capan-2^(p53wt),FAMPAC^(p53mut),PANC1^(p53mut),and rat pancreatic cancer cell lines AS^(p53wt) and DSL6A^(p53null) were used for in vitro studies.Following infection with different ratios of Ad- p53-particles (MOI) in combination with 5-FU,proliferation of tumor cells and apoptosis were quantified by cell proliferation assay (WST-1) and FACS (PI-staining).In addition,DSL6A syngeneic pancreatic tumor cells were inoculated subcutaneously in to Lewis rats for in vivo studies. Tumor size,apoptosis (TUNEL) and survival were determined. RESULTS:Ad-p53 gene transfer combined with 5-FU significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation and substantially enhanced apoptosis in all four cell lines with an alteration in the p53 gene compared to those two cell lines containing wt-p53.In vivo experiments showed the most effective tumor regression in animals treated with Ad-p53 plus 5-FU.Both in vitro and in vivo analyses revealed that a sublethal dose of Ad-p53 augmented the apoptotic response induced by 5-FU. CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that Ad-p53 may synergistically enhance 5-FU-chemosensitivity most strikingly in pancreatic cancer cells lacking p53 function.These findings illustrate that the anticancer efficacy of this combination treatment is dependent on the p53 gene status of the target tumor cells.展开更多
Traffic intersections are incredibly dangerous for drivers and pedestrians. Statistics from both Canada and the U.S. show a high number of fatalities and serious injuries related to crashes at intersections. In Canada...Traffic intersections are incredibly dangerous for drivers and pedestrians. Statistics from both Canada and the U.S. show a high number of fatalities and serious injuries related to crashes at intersections. In Canada, during 2019, the National Collision Database shows that 28% of traffic fatalities and 42% of serious injuries occurred at intersections. Likewise, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) found that about 40% of the estimated 5,811,000 accidents in the U.S. during the year studied were intersection-related crashes. In fact, a major survey by the car insurance industry found that nearly 85% of drivers could not identify the correct action to take when approaching a yellow traffic light at an intersection. One major reason for these accidents is the “yellow light dilemma,” the ambiguous situation where a driver should stop or proceed forward when unexpectedly faced with a yellow light. This situation is even further exacerbated by the tendency of aggressive drivers to inappropriately speed up on the yellow just to get through the traffic light. A survey of Canadian drivers conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation found that 9% of drivers admitted to speeding up to get through a traffic light. Another reason for these accidents is the increased danger of making a left-hand turn on yellow. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), left turns occur in approximately 22.2% of collisions—as opposed to just 1.2% for right turns. Moreover, a study by CNN found left turns are three times as likely to kill pedestrians than right turns. The reason left turns are so much more likely to cause an accident is because they take a driver against traffic and in the path of oncoming cars. Additionally, most of these left turns occur at the driver’s discretion—as opposed to the distressingly brief left-hand arrow at busy intersections. Drive Safe Now proposes a workable solution for reducing the number of accidents occurring during a yellow light at intersections. We believe this fairly simple solution will save lives, prevent injuries, reduce damage to public and private property, and decrease insurance costs.展开更多
基金National Science and Technology Council,the Republic of China,under grants NSTC 113-2221-E-194-011-MY3 and Research Center on Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability,National Chung Cheng University under the research project grant titled“Generative Digital Twin System Design for Sustainable Smart City Development in Taiwan.
文摘Modern manufacturing processes have become more reliant on automation because of the accelerated transition from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0.Manual inspection of products on assembly lines remains inefficient,prone to errors and lacks consistency,emphasizing the need for a reliable and automated inspection system.Leveraging both object detection and image segmentation approaches,this research proposes a vision-based solution for the detection of various kinds of tools in the toolkit using deep learning(DL)models.Two Intel RealSense D455f depth cameras were arranged in a top down configuration to capture both RGB and depth images of the toolkits.After applying multiple constraints and enhancing them through preprocessing and augmentation,a dataset consisting of 3300 annotated RGB-D photos was generated.Several DL models were selected through a comprehensive assessment of mean Average Precision(mAP),precision-recall equilibrium,inference latency(target≥30 FPS),and computational burden,resulting in a preference for YOLO and Region-based Convolutional Neural Networks(R-CNN)variants over ViT-based models due to the latter’s increased latency and resource requirements.YOLOV5,YOLOV8,YOLOV11,Faster R-CNN,and Mask R-CNN were trained on the annotated dataset and evaluated using key performance metrics(Recall,Accuracy,F1-score,and Precision).YOLOV11 demonstrated balanced excellence with 93.0%precision,89.9%recall,and a 90.6%F1-score in object detection,as well as 96.9%precision,95.3%recall,and a 96.5%F1-score in instance segmentation with an average inference time of 25 ms per frame(≈40 FPS),demonstrating real-time performance.Leveraging these results,a YOLOV11-based windows application was successfully deployed in a real-time assembly line environment,where it accurately processed live video streams to detect and segment tools within toolkits,demonstrating its practical effectiveness in industrial automation.The application is capable of precisely measuring socket dimensions by utilising edge detection techniques on YOLOv11 segmentation masks,in addition to detection and segmentation.This makes it possible to do specification-level quality control right on the assembly line,which improves the ability to examine things in real time.The implementation is a big step forward for intelligent manufacturing in the Industry 4.0 paradigm.It provides a scalable,efficient,and accurate way to do automated inspection and dimensional verification activities.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52475543)Natural Science Foundation of Henan(Grant No.252300421101)+1 种基金Henan Province University Science and Technology Innovation Talent Support Plan(Grant No.24HASTIT048)Science and Technology Innovation Team Project of Zhengzhou University of Light Industry(Grant No.23XNKJTD0101).
文摘Aircraft assembly is characterized by stringent precedence constraints,limited resource availability,spatial restrictions,and a high degree of manual intervention.These factors lead to considerable variability in operator workloads and significantly increase the complexity of scheduling.To address this challenge,this study investigates the Aircraft Pulsating Assembly Line Scheduling Problem(APALSP)under skilled operator allocation,with the objective of minimizing assembly completion time.A mathematical model considering skilled operator allocation is developed,and a Q-Learning improved Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm(QLPSO)is proposed.In the algorithm design,a reverse scheduling strategy is adopted to effectively manage large-scale precedence constraints.Moreover,a reverse sequence encoding method is introduced to generate operation sequences,while a time decoding mechanism is employed to determine completion times.The problem is further reformulated as a Markov Decision Process(MDP)with explicitly defined state and action spaces.Within QLPSO,the Q-learning mechanism adaptively adjusts inertia weights and learning factors,thereby achieving a balance between exploration capability and convergence performance.To validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach,extensive computational experiments are conducted on benchmark instances of different scales,including small,medium,large,and ultra-large cases.The results demonstrate that QLPSO consistently delivers stable and high-quality solutions across all scenarios.In ultra-large-scale instances,it improves the best solution by 25.2%compared with the Genetic Algorithm(GA)and enhances the average solution by 16.9%over the Q-learning algorithm,showing clear advantages over the comparative methods.These findings not only confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm but also provide valuable theoretical references and practical guidance for the intelligent scheduling optimization of aircraft pulsating assembly lines.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(o.61370037)
文摘Shuffled frog leaping algorithm( SFLA) was used to solve multi-objective sequencing problem of mixed model assembly line( MMAL). Local convergence can be avoided and optimal solution can be obtained to a certain extent. However,the multi-objective sequencing problem of MMAL is an non-deterministic polynomial hard( NP-hard) problem and the shortcomings are slow convergence rate and low precision. To solve the shortcomings for optimization objectives of minimizing total utility time and keeping average consumption rate of parts, a chaos differential evolution SFLA( CDESFLA) is proposed in this study. Because SFLA is easy to fall into local optimum,the evolution operator of differential evolution algorithms is introduced in SFLA as a local search strategy,and differential mutation operator is introduced in chaotic sequence to prevent premature convergence. The examples show that the proposed CDESFLA is better for convergence accuracy than SFLA,genetic algorithm( GA) and particle swarm optimization( PSO)
文摘This paper aimed to present the optimization of energy resource management in a car factory by the adaptive current search (ACS)—one of the most efficient metaheuristic optimization search techniques. Assembly lines of a specific car factory considered as a case study are balanced by the ACS to optimize their energy resource management. The workload variance of the line is performed as the objective function to be minimized in order to increase the productivity. In this work, the ACS is used to address the number of tasks assigned for each workstation, while the sequence of tasks is assigned by factory. Three real-world assembly line balancing (ALB) problems from a specific car factory are tested. Results obtained by the ACS are compared with those obtained by the genetic algorithm (GA), tabu search (TS) and current search (CS). As results, the ACS outperforms other algorithms. By using the ACS, the productivity can be increased and the energy consumption of the lines can be decreased significantly.
文摘The growing global competition compels manufacturing organizations to engage themselves in all productivity improvement activities. In this direction, the consideration of mixed-model assembly line balancing problem and implementing in industries plays a major role in improving organizational productivity. In this paper, the mixed model assembly line balancing problem with deterministic task times is considered. The authors made an attempt to develop a genetic algorithm for realistic design of the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem. The design is made using the originnal task times of the models, which is a realistic approach. Then, it is compared with the generally perceived design of the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem.
文摘This brief review discusses the behavioral consequences of two pharmacologically selected lines of rats. Flinders Sensitive (FSL) and Flinders Resistant (FRL) Lines of rats were selected on the basis of differential hypothermic and behavioral responses to the anticholinesterase, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP). FSL rats are more sensitive to the hypothermic effects of cholinergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic agonists but less sensitive to the locomotor or stereotypic effects of dopamine agonists. FSL rats exhibit greater immobility in the forced swim test and reduced social interaction compared with FRL rats, but do not differ in saccharin intake, behavior in the elevated plus maze, or responses for rewarding brain self-stimulation. The exaggerated immobility and reduced social interaction are counteracted by chronic treatment with antidepressants. Because FSL rats were more sensitive to 5-HT1A receptor agonists, high (HDS) and low (LDS) 8-OH-DPATsensitive lines were selectively bred for differential hypothermic responses to the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). HDS rats were also more sensitive to the hypothermic effects of oxotremorine, a cholinergic agonist, but selection for this response did not diverge with later selection. HDS rats exhibited greater immobility in the forced swim test than LDS rats and this correlated response could be seen early in selection (generation 3). HDS rats also showed reduced social interaction compared to LDS rats, but did not differ in behavior in the elevated plus maze. These findings confirm that selection for hypothermic responses to pharmacological agents do have behavioral consequences, notably the production of depressive-like phenotypes, which can be counteracted by chronic antidepressant treatment. Because increased 5-HT1A receptor sensitivity was common to both selected lines (FSL and HDS), neurobiological processes dependent on this receptor could contribute to the abnormal behaviors that manifest in these rat lines and thus suggesting a mechanism underlying depressive behaviors in humans. However, available human data are inconsistent with this hypothesis and suggest that other mechanisms underlie these behavioral abnormalities in HDS and FSL rats. These mechanisms as well as additional behavioral testing in these rat lines will be discussed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52175475).
文摘In an aircraft final assembly line(AFAL),the rational scheduling of assembly workers to complete tasks in an orderly manner is crucial for enhancing production efficiency.This paper addresses the multi-skilled worker scheduling problem in the AFAL,where the processing time of each task varies due to the assigned workers’skill levels,referred to as variable duration.The objective is to minimize the makespan,i.e.,the total time required for all workers to complete all tasks.A mixed integer linear programming model is formulated under complex constraints including assembly precedence relations,skill requirements,worker skill capabilities,and workspace capacities.To solve the model effectively,a multi-pass priority rule-based heuristic(MPRH)algorithm is proposed.This algorithm integrates 14 activity priority rules and nine worker priority rules with worker weights.Extensive experiments iteratively the best-performing priority rules,and the most effective rule subsets are integrated through a lightweight multi-pass mechanism to enhance its efficiency.The computational results demonstrate that the MPRH can find high-quality solutions effectively within very short central processing unit central processing unit(CPU)time compared to GUROBI.A case study based on real data obtained from an AFAL confirms the necessity and the feasibility of the approach in practical applications.Sensitivity analyses provide valuable insights to real production scenarios.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51275366,50875190,51305311)Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China(Grant No.20134219110002)
文摘Due to the NP-hardness of the two-sided assembly line balancing （TALB） problem, multiple constraints existing in real applications are less studied, especially when one task is involved with several constraints. In this paper, an effective hybrid algorithm is proposed to address the TALB problem with multiple constraints （TALB-MC）. Considering the discrete attribute of TALB-MC and the continuous attribute of the standard teaching-learning-based optimization （TLBO） algorithm, the random-keys method is hired in task permutation representation, for the purpose of bridging the gap between them. Subsequently, a special mechanism for handling multiple constraints is developed. In the mechanism, the directions constraint of each task is ensured by the direction check and adjustment. The zoning constraints and the synchronism constraints are satisfied by teasing out the hidden correlations among constraints. The positional constraint is allowed to be violated to some extent in decoding and punished in cost fimction. Finally, with the TLBO seeking for the global optimum, the variable neighborhood search （VNS） is further hybridized to extend the local search space. The experimental results show that the proposed hybrid algorithm outperforms the late acceptance hill-climbing algorithm （LAHC） for TALB-MC in most cases, especially for large-size problems with multiple constraints, and demonstrates well balance between the exploration and the exploitation. This research proposes an effective and efficient algorithm for solving TALB-MC problem by hybridizing the TLBO and VNS.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 71671026)Sichuan Science and Technology Program (Nos. 2018GZ0306 and 2017GZ0034)
文摘"Factory physics principles" provided a method to evaluate the performance of a simple production line, whose fundamental parameters are known or given. However, it is difficult to obtain the exact and reasonable parameters in actual manufacturing environment, especially for the complex chipset assembly & test production line(CATPL). Besides, research in this field tends to focus on evaluation and improvement of CATPL without considering performance interval and status with variability level. A developed internal benchmark method is proposed, which established three-parameter method based on the Little′s law. It integrates the variability factors, such as processing time, random failure time, and random repair time, to meet performance evaluation and improvement. A case study in a chipset assembly and test factory for the performance of CATPL is implemented. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed method to meet performance evaluation and emphasise its relevance for practical applications.
文摘Mixed-model U-shaped assembly line balancing problems (MMUALBP) is known to be NP-hard resulting in it being nearly impossible to obtain an optimal solution for practical problems with deterministic algorithms. This paper pre-sents a new evolutionary method called combinatorial optimisation with coincidence algorithm (COIN) being applied to Type I problems of MMUALBP in a just-in-time production system. Three objectives are simultaneously considered;minimum number workstations, minimum work relatedness, and minimum workload smoothness. The variances of COIN are also proposed, i.e. CNSGA II, and COIN-MA. COIN and its variances are tested against a well-known algo-rithm namely non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA II) and MNSGA II (a memetic version of NSGA II). Experimental results showed that COIN outperformed NSGA II. In addition, although COIN-MA uses a marginal CPU time than CNSGA II, its other performances are dominated.
文摘In response to the deficiencies of commonly used optimization methods for assembly lines,a production demand-oriented optimization method for assembly lines is proposed.Taking a certain compressor assembly line as an example,the production rhythm and the number of workstations are calculated based on production requirements and working systems.With assembly rhythm and smoothing index as optimization goals,an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed for process allocation.Subsequently,Flexsim simulation is used to analyze the assembly line.The final results show that after optimization using the improved particle swarm algorithm,the assembly line balance rate increased from 71.1%to 85.9%,and the assembly line smoothing index decreased from 47.4 to 29.8,significantly enhancing assembly efficiency.This demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed optimization method for the assembly line and provides a reference for other products in the same industry.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.71071115)the National High Technology Research and Development Program (863) of China(No.2009AA043000)
文摘To solve the sequencing problem in mixed-model flexible assembly lines (MMFALs) with variable launching intervals, a mathematical model aiming to minimize the cost of utility and idle times is developed. To obtain high-quality sequences, an advanced scatter search (ASS) algorithm is proposed. A heuristic approach, i.e. launching intervals between products algorithm (LIBPA), is incorporated into the ASS algorithm to solve the launching interval problem for each sequence. Numerical experiments with different scales are conducted to compare the performance of ASS with genetic algorithm (GA). In addition, we compare the cost of variable launching intervals approach with fixed launching intervals approach. The results indicate that the ASS is efficient and effective, and considering variable launching intervals in mixed-model assembly lines (MMALs) sequencing problem can improve the performance of the line.
文摘With rapid growth of power demand, transmission capacity is also in urgent need of upgrading. In some cases, converting existing AC transmission lines to DC lines can Improve the transmission capacity and reduce the construction investment. In this paper, the upstream finite element method was expanded to calculate the total electric field of same tower multi-circuit DC lines converted from double-circuit AC lines, and the validity of the algorithm was confirmed by experiments. Taking a DC line converted from a typical same tower 500 kV double-circuit AC transmission line as an example, the surface electric field and the ground total electric field in different pole conductor arrangement schemes were calculated and analyzed, and the critical height of pole conductors for DC lines in residential and non-residential area were determined. Then, the corridor width of DC and AC lines at critical height in residential and non-residential areas before and after AC-DC line transformation were compared. The results indicate that for DC lines converted from common 500 kV double-circuit AC lines, the ground total electric field can meet the requirements of corresponding standard with appropriate pole conductor arrangement schemes.
文摘The growing global competition compels organizations to use many productivity improvement techniques. In this direction, assembly line balancing helps an organization to design its assembly line such that its balancing efficiency is maximized. If the organization assembles more than one model in the same line, then the objective is to maximize the average balancing efficiency of the models of the mixed model assembly line balancing problem. Maximization of average balancing efficiency of the models along with minimization of makespan of sequencing models forms a multi-objective function. This is a realistic objective function which combines the balancing efficiency and makespan. This assembly line balancing problem with multi-objective comes under combinatorial category. Hence, development of meta-heuristic is inevitable. In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop three genetic algorithms for the mixed model assembly line balancing problem such that the average balancing efficiency of the model is maximized and the makespan of sequencing the models is minimized. Finally, these three algorithms and another algorithm in literature modified to solve the mixed-model assembly line balancing problem are compared in terms of the stated multi-objective function using a randomly generated set of problems through a complete factorial experiment.
基金support and help of many individuals in the SASTRA University
文摘In a manufacturing industry, mixed model assembly line(MMAL) is preferred in order to meet the variety in product demand. MMAL balancing helps in assembling products with similar characteristics in a random fashion. The objective of this work aims in reducing the number of workstations, work load index between stations and within each station. As manual contribution of workers in final assembly line is more, ergonomics is taken as an additional objective function. Ergonomic risk level of a workstation is evaluated using a parameter called accumulated risk posture(ARP), which is calculated using rapid upper limb assessment(RULA) check sheet. This work is based on the case study of an MMAL problem in Rane(Madras) Ltd.(India), in which a problem based genetic algorithm(GA) has been proposed to minimize the mentioned objectives. The working of the genetic operators such as selection, crossover and mutation has been modified with respect to the addressed MMAL problem. The results show that there is a significant impact over productivity and the process time of the final assembled product, i.e., the rate of production is increased by 39.5% and the assembly time for one particular model is reduced to 13 min from existing 18 min. Also, the space required using the proposed assembly line is only 200 m2 against existing 350 m2. Further, the algorithm helps in reducing workers fatigue(i.e., ergonomic friendly).
基金Key Projectof Scientific and TechnologicalCommittee of Shanghai(No.0 3 11110 0 5 )
文摘A two-sided assembly line is typically found in plants producing large-sized products. Its advantages over a one-sided line and the difficulties faced in two-sided line balancing problems were discussed. A mathematical model for two-ALB problem was suggested. A modification of the “ranked positional weight” method, namely two-ALB RPW for two-ALB problems was developed. Experiments were carried out to verify the performance of the proposed method and the results show that it is effective in solving two-sided assembly line balancing problems.
文摘This paper presents an application of the simulated annealing algorithm to solve level schedules in mixed model assembly line. Solving production sequences with both number of setups and material usage rates to the minimum rate will optimize the level schedule. Miltenburg algorithm (1989) is first used to get seed sequence to optimize further. For this the utility time of the line and setup time requirement on each station is considered. This seed sequence is optimized by simulated annealing. This investigation helps to understand the importance of utility in the assembly line. Up to 15 product sequences are taken and constructed by using randomizing method and find the objective function value for this. For a sequence optimization, a meta-heuristic seems much more promising to guide the search into feasible regions of the solution space. Simulated annealing is a stochastic local search meta-heuristic, which bases the acceptance of a modified neighboring solution on a probabilistic scheme inspired by thermal processes for obtaining low-energy states in heat baths. Experimental results show that the simulated annealing approach is favorable and competitive compared to Miltenburg’s constructive algorithm for the problems set considered. It is proposed to found 16,985 solutions, the time taken for computation is 23.47 to 130.35, and the simulated annealing improves 49.33% than Miltenberg.
基金supported by Key R&D project of Zhejiang Province (2018C01005),http://kjt.zj.gov.cn/.
文摘Numerous clothing enterprises in the market have a relatively low efficiency of assembly line planning due to insufficient optimization of bottleneck stations.As a result,the production efficiency of the enterprise is not high,and the production organization is not up to expectations.Aiming at the problem of flexible process route planning in garment workshops,a multi-object genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the assembly line bal-ance optimization problem and minimize the machine adjustment path.The encoding method adopts the object-oriented path representation method,and the initial population is generated by random topology sorting based on an in-degree selection mechanism.The multi-object genetic algorithm improves the mutation and crossover operations according to the characteristics of the clothing process to avoid the generation of invalid offspring.In the iterative process,the bottleneck station is optimized by reasonable process splitting,and process allocation conforms to the strict limit of the station on the number of machines in order to improve the compilation efficiency.The effectiveness and feasibility of the multi-object genetic algorithm are proven by the analysis of clothing cases.Compared with the artificial allocation process,the compilation efficiency of MOGA is increased by more than 15%and completes the optimization of the minimum machine adjustment path.The results are in line with the expected optimization effect.
文摘AIM:There are conflicting data about p53 function on cellular sensitivity to the cytotoxic action of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Therefore the objective of this study was to determine the combined effects of adenovirus-mediated wild-type (wt) p53 gene transfer and 5-FU chemotherapy on pancreatic cancer cells with different p53 gene status. METHODS:Human pancreatic cancer cell lines Capan-1^(p53mut), Capan-2^(p53wt),FAMPAC^(p53mut),PANC1^(p53mut),and rat pancreatic cancer cell lines AS^(p53wt) and DSL6A^(p53null) were used for in vitro studies.Following infection with different ratios of Ad- p53-particles (MOI) in combination with 5-FU,proliferation of tumor cells and apoptosis were quantified by cell proliferation assay (WST-1) and FACS (PI-staining).In addition,DSL6A syngeneic pancreatic tumor cells were inoculated subcutaneously in to Lewis rats for in vivo studies. Tumor size,apoptosis (TUNEL) and survival were determined. RESULTS:Ad-p53 gene transfer combined with 5-FU significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation and substantially enhanced apoptosis in all four cell lines with an alteration in the p53 gene compared to those two cell lines containing wt-p53.In vivo experiments showed the most effective tumor regression in animals treated with Ad-p53 plus 5-FU.Both in vitro and in vivo analyses revealed that a sublethal dose of Ad-p53 augmented the apoptotic response induced by 5-FU. CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that Ad-p53 may synergistically enhance 5-FU-chemosensitivity most strikingly in pancreatic cancer cells lacking p53 function.These findings illustrate that the anticancer efficacy of this combination treatment is dependent on the p53 gene status of the target tumor cells.
文摘Traffic intersections are incredibly dangerous for drivers and pedestrians. Statistics from both Canada and the U.S. show a high number of fatalities and serious injuries related to crashes at intersections. In Canada, during 2019, the National Collision Database shows that 28% of traffic fatalities and 42% of serious injuries occurred at intersections. Likewise, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) found that about 40% of the estimated 5,811,000 accidents in the U.S. during the year studied were intersection-related crashes. In fact, a major survey by the car insurance industry found that nearly 85% of drivers could not identify the correct action to take when approaching a yellow traffic light at an intersection. One major reason for these accidents is the “yellow light dilemma,” the ambiguous situation where a driver should stop or proceed forward when unexpectedly faced with a yellow light. This situation is even further exacerbated by the tendency of aggressive drivers to inappropriately speed up on the yellow just to get through the traffic light. A survey of Canadian drivers conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation found that 9% of drivers admitted to speeding up to get through a traffic light. Another reason for these accidents is the increased danger of making a left-hand turn on yellow. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), left turns occur in approximately 22.2% of collisions—as opposed to just 1.2% for right turns. Moreover, a study by CNN found left turns are three times as likely to kill pedestrians than right turns. The reason left turns are so much more likely to cause an accident is because they take a driver against traffic and in the path of oncoming cars. Additionally, most of these left turns occur at the driver’s discretion—as opposed to the distressingly brief left-hand arrow at busy intersections. Drive Safe Now proposes a workable solution for reducing the number of accidents occurring during a yellow light at intersections. We believe this fairly simple solution will save lives, prevent injuries, reduce damage to public and private property, and decrease insurance costs.
