Method for operating energy-saving idle facilities on production lines considering breakdowns

Abstract

In recent years, reducing standby electric power consumption by individual production facilities has been studied to reduce their energy consumption, particularly regarding machine tools, industrial robots, etc., which are principal types of facilities in production systems. Energy-saving idle state capable production facilities (energy-saving idle facilities) have been developed and have begun to be commercialized. They can be in the normal idle state, permitting the quick startup of production from their idle state to reduce energy. Specifically, auxiliary machines unused during idling are shut down, thus minimizing electric power consumption. Such an idle state is defined as the energy-saving idle state (eco-idle state). The research and development of energy-saving idle facilities is advancing, but a lack of effective methods to operate production lines after energy-saving idle facilities have been introduced on these lines is hindering their introduction. Past research has proposed methods for operating energy-saving idle facilities on production lines. However, breakdowns occurring in production facilities have not been considered. This paper proposes a method for operating energy-saving idle facilities on production lines considering breakdowns. The method consists of an idle-time prediction algorithm and an idle-state selection algorithm. Case studies are presented to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Keywords

• production facility operation of energy-saving idle state
• production line
• simulation
• productivity
• energy consumption
• breakdown