Title: Steel plant production line automation strategy using advanced distributed control and convergent technology

Authors: Rajat Kumar Panigrahy; N. Prem Mahalik; R.K. Mishra; Srikanta Patnaik

Addresses: Department of Industries, Principal Government ITI Berhampur, QR.No.E5, Post-Engineering School, Berhampur 760010, Orissa, India ' Department of Industrial Technology, California State University, Fresno, CA 93740, USA ' Department of Electronics Sciences, Berhampur University, Berhampur 760007, Orissa, India ' Professor, Computer Science & Engineering, Institute of Technical Education & Research (ITER), Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University, Jagamohan Nagar, Jagamara, Bhubaneswar-751030, Orissa, India

Abstract: This paper presents work on modernisation of a small-scale steel plant production line utilising distributed control strategy and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), known as convergent technology. The developed strategy uses the latest manufacturing techniques and principles, as well as advanced automation and control technology. In particular, we used lean principles and field bus type systems to achieve the above, respectively. Moreover, the entire development considers essential design attributes such as flexibility, scalability, configurability and intelligence. We have demonstrated the above implementation in a real-world application. This work can be extended to the large scale steel plant like Rourkela steel plant of Odisha.

Keywords: small-scale steel plant; automated manufacturing; distributed control; soft computing; flexibility; manufacturing execution systems; MES; convergent technology; lean manufacturing; field bus; advanced manufacturing technology; AMT; scalability; configurability; intelligent manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2012.048647

International Journal of Automation and Control, 2012 Vol.6 No.2, pp.157 - 173

Received: 16 Dec 2011
Accepted: 02 Jan 2012
Published online: 07 Nov 2014 *

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