All Outputs (45)

Implementing large-scale Aerospace Assembly 4.0 demonstration systems? (2020)
Journal Article
Sanderson, D., Turner, A., Shires, E., Chaplin, J. C., & Ratchev, S. (2020). Implementing large-scale Aerospace Assembly 4.0 demonstration systems?. IFAC papers online, 53(2), 10267-10274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2020.12.2759

The Future Automated Aerospace Assembly phase 1 technology Demonstrator (FA3D) was commissioned at the University of Nottingham and used to demonstrate concepts from the EPSRC Evolvable Assembly Systems project in specific industrial use cases. A num... Read More about Implementing large-scale Aerospace Assembly 4.0 demonstration systems?.

Tool Wear Classification using Time Series Imaging and Deep Learning (2019)
Journal Article
Martínez-Arellano, G., Terrazas, G., & Ratchev, S. (2019). Tool Wear Classification using Time Series Imaging and Deep Learning. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 104(9-12), 3647–3662. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-04090-6

Tool Condition Monitoring (TCM) has become essential to achieve high quality machining as well as cost-effective production. Identification of the cutting tool state during machining before it reaches its failure stage is critical. This paper present... Read More about Tool Wear Classification using Time Series Imaging and Deep Learning.

A Function-Behaviour-Structure design methodology for adaptive production systems (2019)
Journal Article
Sanderson, D., Chaplin, J. C., & Ratchev, S. (2019). A Function-Behaviour-Structure design methodology for adaptive production systems. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-03823-x

Adaptive production systems are a key trend in modern advanced manufacturing. This stems from the requirement for the system to respond to disruption , either in the form of product changes or changes to other operational parameters. The design and r... Read More about A Function-Behaviour-Structure design methodology for adaptive production systems.

Demonstration of Transformable Manufacturing Systems through the Evolvable Assembly Systems Project (2019)
Journal Article
Sanderson, D., Turner, A., Shires, E., Chaplin, J., & Ratchev, S. (2019). Demonstration of Transformable Manufacturing Systems through the Evolvable Assembly Systems Project. SAE Technical Papers, Article 2019-01-1363. https://doi.org/10.4271/2019-01-1363

© 2019 SAE International. All Rights Reserved. Evolvable Assembly Systems is a five year UK research council funded project into flexible and reconfigurable manufacturing systems. The principal goal of the research programme has been to define and va... Read More about Demonstration of Transformable Manufacturing Systems through the Evolvable Assembly Systems Project.

Synthesising process controllers from formal models of transformable assembly systems (2019)
Journal Article
De Silva, L., Felli, P., Sanderson, D., Chaplin, J. C., Logan, B., & Ratchev, S. (2019). Synthesising process controllers from formal models of transformable assembly systems. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 58, 130-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcim.2019.01.014

When producing complex and highly customisable products in low volumes (or in 'batch sizes of one'), automation of production systems is critical for competitiveness and profitability in high labour-cost economies. To facilitate batch-size-of-one pro... Read More about Synthesising process controllers from formal models of transformable assembly systems.

Trade-off study of a variation aware determinate wing assembly against a traditional assembly strategy (2018)
Journal Article
Bacharoudis, K., Bakker, O. J., Popov, A., & Ratchev, S. (2018). Trade-off study of a variation aware determinate wing assembly against a traditional assembly strategy. MATEC Web of Conferences, 233, Article 00008. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201823300008

The present study introduces a trade-off framework to evaluate assembly concepts to make informed decisions for aircraft wing structures. This includes (1) the design of the assembly concepts and the estimation of the probability of achieving specifi... Read More about Trade-off study of a variation aware determinate wing assembly against a traditional assembly strategy.

Online Tool Wear Classification during Dry Machining Using Real Time Cutting Force Measurements and a CNN Approach (2018)
Journal Article
Terrazas, G., Martínez-Arellano, G., Benardos, P., & Ratchev, S. (2018). Online Tool Wear Classification during Dry Machining Using Real Time Cutting Force Measurements and a CNN Approach. Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing, 2(4), Article 72. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp2040072

The new generation of ICT solutions applied to the monitoring, adaptation, simulation and optimisation of factories are key enabling technologies for a new level of manufacturing capability and adaptability in the context of Industry 4.0. Given the a... Read More about Online Tool Wear Classification during Dry Machining Using Real Time Cutting Force Measurements and a CNN Approach.

In-process tool wear prediction system based on machine learning techniques and force analysis (2018)
Journal Article
Gouarir, A., Martínez-Arellano, G., Terrazas, G., Benardos, P., & Ratchev, S. (2018). In-process tool wear prediction system based on machine learning techniques and force analysis. Procedia CIRP, 77, 501-504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2018.08.253

This paper presents an in-process tool wear prediction system, which uses a force sensor to monitor the progression of the tool flank wear and machine learning (ML), more specifically, a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) as a method to predict tool... Read More about In-process tool wear prediction system based on machine learning techniques and force analysis.

A Comparison of Centralised and Decentralised Scheduling Methods Using a Simple Benchmark System (2018)
Journal Article
Tochev, E., Pfifer, H., & Ratchev, S. (2018). A Comparison of Centralised and Decentralised Scheduling Methods Using a Simple Benchmark System. IFAC papers online, 51(11), 1287-1292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2018.08.355

This paper is intended to provide a comparison of a centralised scheduling system, a simple Multi-Agent System (MAS), and a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulation. The systems are tested on a simulation of a small scale flexible job shop... Read More about A Comparison of Centralised and Decentralised Scheduling Methods Using a Simple Benchmark System.

Toward process control from formal models of transformable manufacturing systems (2017)
Journal Article
Bakker, O. J., Chaplin, J. C., de Silva, L., Felli, P., Sanderson, D., Logan, B., & Ratchev, S. (2018). Toward process control from formal models of transformable manufacturing systems. Procedia CIRP, 63, 521-526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2017.03.159

The automation and flexibility of production systems is a key step towards improved profitability and competitiveness in high labour cost areas, when producing high-complexity, low-volume products. In the Evolvable Assembly Systems (EAS) project, the... Read More about Toward process control from formal models of transformable manufacturing systems.

Variation analysis of automated wing box assembly (2017)
Journal Article
Bakker, O. J., Popov, A. A., & Ratchev, S. M. (2017). Variation analysis of automated wing box assembly. Procedia CIRP, 69, 406-411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2017.02.034

Manufacturing process variability is a major issue of concern in high value industries. Manufacturing small batches and in some cases batches of one is a very expensive process with specific requirements for manufacturing operations, tooling and fixt... Read More about Variation analysis of automated wing box assembly.

Flexible robot sealant dispensing cell using RGB-D sensor and off-line programming (2017)
Journal Article
Maiolino, P., Woolley, R., Branson, D. T., Benardos, P., Popov, A. A., & Ratchev, S. (in press). Flexible robot sealant dispensing cell using RGB-D sensor and off-line programming. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 48, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcim.2017.04.004

In aerospace manufacture the accurate and robust application of sealant is an integral and challenging part of the manufacturing process that is still performed by human operator. Automation of this process is difficult and not cost effective due to... Read More about Flexible robot sealant dispensing cell using RGB-D sensor and off-line programming.

Redesign methodology for mechanical assembly (2017)
Journal Article
El-Nounu, A., Popov, A., & Ratchev, S. (in press). Redesign methodology for mechanical assembly. Research in Engineering Design, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00163-017-0255-6

Design for assembly is the concept of carrying out critical thought early in the design stage to create assembly easement at the production stage. In the aerospace industry, products have very long lives, frequently being optimised rather than introd... Read More about Redesign methodology for mechanical assembly.

A multi-agent framework for capability-based reconfiguration of industrial assembly systems (2016)
Journal Article
Antzoulatos, N., Castro, E., de Silva, L., Rocha, A. D., Ratchev, S., & Barata, J. (in press). A multi-agent framework for capability-based reconfiguration of industrial assembly systems. International Journal of Production Research, https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2016.1243268

Rapidly changing market requirements and shorter product lifecycles demand assembly systems that are able to cope with frequently changing resources, resource capabilities and product specifications. This paper presents a multi-agent framework that c... Read More about A multi-agent framework for capability-based reconfiguration of industrial assembly systems.

Evaluation of control methods for thermal roll forming of aerospace composite materials (2016)
Journal Article
Land, P., De Sousa, L., Ratchev, S., Branson, D. T., Brookes, H., & Wright, J. (2016). Evaluation of control methods for thermal roll forming of aerospace composite materials. SAE International Journal of Aerospace, 9(2), https://doi.org/10.4271/2016-01-2118

With increased demand for composite materials in the aerospace sector there is a requirement for the development of manufacturing processes that enable larger and more complex geometries, whilst ensuring that the functionality and specific properties... Read More about Evaluation of control methods for thermal roll forming of aerospace composite materials.

Manufacturing in the cloud: a human factors perspective (2016)
Journal Article
Golightly, D., Sharples, S., Patel, H., & Ratchev, S. (2016). Manufacturing in the cloud: a human factors perspective. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 55, 12-21

Cloud manufacturing adopts a cloud computing paradigm as the basis for delivering shared, on-demand manufacturing services. The result is customer-centric supply chains that can be configured for cost, quality, speed and customisation. While the tech... Read More about Manufacturing in the cloud: a human factors perspective.

Automated experience-based learning for plug and produce assembly systems (2016)
Journal Article
Scrimeri, D., Antzoulatos, N., Castro, E., & Ratchev, S. M. (2017). Automated experience-based learning for plug and produce assembly systems. International Journal of Production Research, 55(13), 3674-3685. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2016.1207817

This paper presents a self-learning technique for adapting modular automated assembly systems. The technique consists of automatically analysing sensor data and acquiring experience on the changes made on an assembly system to cope with new productio... Read More about Automated experience-based learning for plug and produce assembly systems.

A decision support methodology for embodiment design and process chain selection for hybrid manufacturing platforms (2016)
Journal Article
Gleadal, A., Vladov, N., Segal, J., Ratchev, S., Plasch, M., Kimmig, D., & Dickerhof, M. (2016). A decision support methodology for embodiment design and process chain selection for hybrid manufacturing platforms. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 87(1-4), 553-569. doi:10.1007/s00170-016-8514-7

This paper presents a methodology for the transformation of a product concept into a detailed design and manufacturing process chain for hybrid manufacturing platforms. Hybrid platforms offer new capabilities and opportunities for product design. How... Read More about A decision support methodology for embodiment design and process chain selection for hybrid manufacturing platforms.

Technology review of thermal forming techniques for use in composite component manufacture (2015)
Journal Article
Land, P., Crossley, R., Branson, D. T., & Ratchev, S. (2016). Technology review of thermal forming techniques for use in composite component manufacture. SAE International Journal of Aerospace, 9(1), https://doi.org/10.4271/2015-01-2610

There is a growing demand for composites to be utilised in the production of large-scale components within the aerospace industry. In particular the demand to increase production rates indicates that traditional manual methods are no longer sufficien... Read More about Technology review of thermal forming techniques for use in composite component manufacture.

Apparent beam size definition of focused ion beams based on scanning electron microscopy images of nanodots (2015)
Journal Article
Vladov, N., Segal, J., & Ratchev, S. (2015). Apparent beam size definition of focused ion beams based on scanning electron microscopy images of nanodots. Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B Microelectronics and Nanometer Structures, 33, Article 041803. https://doi.org/10.1116/1.4926388

In this paper the new term apparent beam size of Focused Ion Beam (FIB) is introduced and an original method of its evaluation is demonstrated. Traditional methods of measuring the beam size, like the knife edge method, provide information about the... Read More about Apparent beam size definition of focused ion beams based on scanning electron microscopy images of nanodots.