Autor: Georg Ullmann

Designing a road layout for automated guided vehicles (AGV) can be a very laborious process that is based in big parts upon the knowledge of experienced system planers. Up until now, it is not possible to save that knowledge in a form that makes it usable in an automated layout process for AGV-roadmaps. The research project aims to integrate the knowledge of the system planers in an artificial intelligence, so in the future an automated process of designing AGV roadmaps is achievable. The knowledge is implemented within a fuzzy-logic and can be used as a controller for the planning process.

The human being has the ability to adapt to physical changes in the production and logistic environment. The aim of this research project is to equip series transport vehicle with additional intelligent technique so that the vehicle becomes an automated guided vehicle (AGV) and to reduce the commissioning effort for AGVs. The user can control the AGV by voice and gesture so the AGV can do the work automatically. To realize such an interactive system it is important to develop decentralized controllers for the AGV. Thus, it is possible that the AGV is able to flexibly adapt his own behaviour.

In this paper common characteristics of XXL-products are shown and a potential basis for the definition of XXL-products is derived. The proposed definition is based upon the hypothesis that man encounters his technical, organizational and economic limits with the methods and tools available at the time of observation, in the context of the creation of a XXL-product. The proposed definition will provide a clear distinction between conventional products and XXL-products. This enables precise discussions and the development of product-spanning solutions to overcome common challenges of XXL-products.

Continuously growing XXL-products are reaching dimensions that can hardly be handled without innovative technological support. Therefore advances in the transport and lifting technologies are aimed at manufacturing (partly) automated assembly aids for the final assembly of large scale components. The assembly of XXL-products is similar to the construction of prototypes. The aim is to avoid constant new development and design of assembly aids by making them usable across several processes. In addition to the presentation of a method for systematization and easier choice of assembly aids in this paper there will also be presented the product development process of an assembly aid for craneless and therefore weather-independent assembly of rotor blades on offshore wind energy plants.

Manufacturing companies of xxl pro-ducts are increasingly forced to distinguish themselves from their competitors by the production costs [1]. Commonly used manufacturing principles are designed for a customized production with high product variety. However, with regard to the production costs these manufacturing principles are insufficient. The transfer of alternative manufacturing principles to the xxl production offers a promising approach to increase the productivity.

The design of the supply concept re-presents a decisive competitive factor for companies, since this significantly affects the throughput time and inventory levels. This paper explains how environmental issues can be quantified in addition to the conventional types of costs and presents a method for the selection and design of a supply concept.