Improvement of the Logistic Performance of Cluster-Oriented Decentralized Control in Material Flow Networks in Manufacturing

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Till Becker
• Subject Area: Production Systems, Operations Management, Quality Management and Factory Planning
• Term: from 2017 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 344981366

• Final Report Year: 2023

Final Report Abstract

Previous planning and control of production processes was based on centralized approaches, which can be time-consuming and costly. Autonomous production systems that can react flexibly and quickly to changes are an alternative. A hybrid approach that combines autonomous job sequencing and centralized work system assignments appears promising. Research in this area includes technology, algorithms, and topology; the relevance of topology has been confirmed, but its consideration in autonomous control has received little attention to date. A new approach is based on network theory and investigates clustering algorithms to identify intensely networked logistic objects, called clusters. These objects act autonomously and make decisions based on current system states. This project aimed to investigate the utility of cluster topology as an additional source of information for autonomous control. The project demonstrated that decentralized order sequencing can occur within identified material flow clusters. Simulations with different cluster topologies showed that in more than half of the cases a significantly better achievement of logistic goals is possible. The size and number of clusters are decisive parameters and offer starting points for further research.

Publications

• Evaluation of the Applicability of Random Walks for Generation of Material Flow Network Models. Procedia CIRP, 63, 488-492.
  Wagner, Darja & Becker, Till
  
• Automated Generation of Material Flow Network Models with Cluster Structures Using Random Walks. Procedia CIRP, 72, 569-573.
  Wagner, Darja & Becker, Till
  
• Complex Networks in Manufacturing and Logistics: A Retrospect. Dynamics in Logistics, 57-70. Springer International Publishing.
  Becker, Till & Wagner-Kampik, Darja
  
• „Impact of the Cluster Topology of Autonomously Controlled Material Flow Networks on the Performance of a Logistic System“. Diss. Universität Bremen
  Wagner-Kampik, D.