This contributed volume collects research papers, presented at the CIRP Sponsored Conference Robust Manufacturing Control: Innovative and Interdisciplinary Approaches for Global Networks (RoMaC 2012, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany, June 18th-20th 2012). These research papers present the latest developments and new ideas focusing on robust manufacturing control for global networks. Today, Global Production Networks (i.e. the nexus of interconnected material and information flows through which products and services are manufactured, assembled and distributed) are confronted with and expected to adapt to: sudden and unpredictable large-scale changes of important parameters which are occurring more and more frequently, event propagation in networks with high degree of interconnectivity which leads to unforeseen fluctuations, and non-equilibrium states which increasingly characterize daily business. These multi-scale changes deeply influence logistic target achievement and call for robust planning and control strategies. Therefore, understanding the cause and effects of multi-scale changes in production networks is of major interest. New methodological approaches from different science disciplines are promising to contribute to a new level comprehension of network processes. Unconventional methods from biology, perturbation ecology or auditory display are gaining increasing importance as they are confronted with similar challenges. Advancements from the classical disciplines such as mathematics, physics and engineering are also becoming of continuing importance.

A state-of-the-art study of computerized control of chemical processes used in industry, this book is for chemical engineering and industrial chemistry students involved in learning the micro-macro design of chemical process systems.

The approaches to design process plants described in this book lead to process designs which require 30-40% less capital than usual. The book is unique since it is the first comprehensive work addressing both the total process design and operational approach. Technological developments during the last decade made the design of really competitive processes possible. Mechanical developments have resulted in reliable and robust equipment. Process developments have created opportunities to minimize the amount of equipment; furthermore, different logistic approaches, integration of process functionality and intensification of the unit operations are possible. Computer and control technology allows remote-control operation and first pass prime production. In this work design philosophies are discussed and their implementation is shown as a structured approach for planned and existing plants. Numerous examples are presented to illustrate what simple design can create. The work is intended for experienced engineers and managers involved in process design, control design and operation, but is also interesting for students. Project engineers and managers have to apply these new approaches to achieve competitive processes. "A process plant should meet the simplicity and robustness of a household refrigerator." This book has been written to allow to achieve this aim. "Chairman of the Judges Award" from IChemE 2003

This edited volume contains the selected papers presented at the scientific board meeting of the German Cluster of Excellence on “Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries”, held in November 2014. The topical structure of the book is clustered in six sessions: Integrative Production Technology, Individualised Production, Virtual Production Systems, Integrated Technologies, Self-Optimising Production Systems and Human Factors in Production Technology. The Aachen perspective on a holistic theory of production is complemented by conference papers from external leading researchers in the fields of production, materials science and bordering disciplines. The target audience primarily comprises research experts and practitioners in the field but the book may also be beneficial for graduate students.

The fourth edition of Process Validation in Manufacturing of Biopharmaceuticals is a practical and comprehensive resource illustrating the different approaches for successful validation of biopharmaceutical processes. A pivotal text in its field, this new edition provides guidelines and current practices, contains industrial case studies, and is expanded to include in-depth analysis of the new Process Validation (PV) guidance from the US FDA. Key Features: Offers readers a thorough understanding of the key concepts that form the basis of a good process validation program for biopharmaceuticals. Includes case studies from the various industry leaders that demonstrate application of these concepts. Discusses the use of modern tools such as multivariate analysis for facilitating a process validation exercise. Covers process characterization techniques for scaling down unit operations in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, including chromatography, chemical modification reactions, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration, and practical methods to test raw materials and in-process samples. Providing a thorough understanding of the key concepts that form the basis of a good process validation program, this book will help readers ensure that PV is carried out and exceeds expectations. Fully illustrated, this is a much-needed practical guide for biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

An essential core text, this volume develops theoretical foundations and explains how control systems work in real industrial situations. Several case histories assist students in visualizing applications. 1992 edition.

Passivity and associated stability conditions form one of the cornerstones in control theory and have begun to be applied in process control. In this book, passivity-based developments in all areas of control theory are addressed systematically for the first time. The emphasis is placed on real results that add insight. Case studies illustrate applications in all the main chapters. MATLAB® routines and a library of functions that implement the methods developed in the book can be downloaded from springer.com.

The three volumes IFIP AICT 438, 439, and 440 constitute the refereed proceedings of the International IFIP WG 5.7 Conference on Advances in Production Management Systems, APMS 2014, held in Ajaccio, France, in September 2014. The 233 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 271 submissions. They are organized in 6 parts: knowledge discovery and sharing; knowledge-based planning and scheduling; knowledge-based sustainability; knowledge-based services; knowledge-based performance improvement, and case studies.

An exploration of how ergonomics can contribute to the solution of important societal and engineering challenges, Advances in Social and Organizational Factors discusses the optimization of sociotechnical systems, including their organizational structures, policies, and processes. It includes coverage of communication, crew resource management, work design, design of working times, teamwork, participatory design, community ergonomics, cooperative work, new work paradigms, organizational culture, virtual organizations, telework, and quality management. The book provides research on urban infrastructures and how to shape urban spaces, including stadiums and museums. It covers warning systems in cars, voice-based interfaces, and the positive effects on manufacturing processes available from health informatics and management systems. Several chapters examine the role human factors can play in counter-terrorism efforts and in interpreting deceptive behaviors. They provide suggestions on how to improve enterprise resource planning systems and stress the importance of lifelong learning, personalized learning, and work-life balance. The book also highlights issues with special populations, detailing how to design and adapt products and work situations for these groups. In addition to exploring the challenges faced in optimizing sociotechnical systems, the book underlines themes that play a role in all the challenges and how they are linked to each other. It concludes with an exploration of emotional ergonomics and the important positive effects of making people happy and healthy. With authors from around the globe, the book supplies a broad look at current challenges and possible solutions.

Manufacturing, reduced to its simplest form, involves the sequencing of product forms through a number of different processes. Each individual step, known as an unit manufacturing process, can be viewed as the fundamental building block of a nation's manufacturing capability. A committee of the National Research Council has prepared a report to help define national priorities for research in unit processes. It contains an organizing framework for unit process families, criteria for determining the criticality of a process or manufacturing technology, examples of research opportunities, and a prioritized list of enabling technologies that can lead to the manufacture of products of superior quality at competitive costs. The study was performed under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation and the Defense Department's Manufacturing Technology Program.