Real-time scheduling in a sensorised factory using cloud-based simulation with mobile device access

CITATION: Snyman, S. & Bekker, J. 2017. Real-time scheduling in a sensorised factory using cloud-based simulation with mobile device access. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 28(4):61-169, doi:10.7166/28-4-1860.The original publication is available at http://sajie.journals.ac.zaENGLISH ABSTRACT: Scheduling is a challenge that persists in the operational phase of the manufacturing life-cycle. The challenge can be attributed to the complex, dynamic, and stochastic nature of a manufacturing system. Computer simulation is often used to assist with scheduling, as it can sufficiently mimic complex, discrete, dynamic, stochastic processes. We propose an architecture of a real-time simulation scheduling system that incorporates the use of a sensorised-network of a job-shop, mobile devices, and cloud computing with simulation and scheduling methods. A simulation model is also created to describe the environment and operations of a job-shop.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Skedulering is ’n uitdaging wat in die operasionele fase van die vervaardigingslewensiklus voortduur. Hierdie uitdaging kan toegeskryf word aan die komplekse, dinamiese, en stogastiese aard van ’n vervaardigingstelsel. Simulasie word dikwels gebruik om te help met die skeduleringsproses, aangesien dit komplekse, diskrete, dinamiese, stogastiese prosesse voldoende kan naboots. Ons stel ’n argitektuur van ’n reële tyd simulasie skeduleringstelsel voor, wat gebruik maak van ’n sensornetwerk in ’n werkswinkel, mobiele toestelle, sowel as simulasie- en skeduleringsmetodes in die elektroniese wolk. ’n Simulasiemodel is ook geskep om die omgewing en aktiwiteite van ’n werkswinkel te beskryf.http://sajie.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/1860Publisher's versio