Capture and Application of Adaptation Knowledge on Assembly Stations

Dealing with disruptions affecting an assembly station is a complex process which requires deep knowledge of the assembly process, the product being assembled and the technologies adopted. We present a method for automatically acquiring and reusing operational knowledge on how to react to disruptions and restore productivity. Shop floor operators typically perform a series of adjustments by trial and error until the performance targets are achieved. These adaptations are captured and their effect on the station is measured. Context-dependent adaptation knowledge is then derived to inform the operator about potential adaptations whenever the station re-enters a state similar to one in which adaptation information was captured.