The Road to The Cyber Factory
Colin Hales
Friday, 26th April 2002
0930 - 1100
SEECS lecture theatre 2
University of Melbourne Computer Science Department
SEECS Building
221 Bouverie Street, Carlton.
Abstract:
Commencing with a brief background to the evolution of technology in
factory automation and the evolution of automation itself, this talk covers
the background economic and logistical imperatives driving change in factory
automation and how the use of intelligent agents in these areas is likely
to
become mandated. Also covered is the social side - the role of humans in
factories over the years and in the future.
Specific areas of maximum payback are then addressed: design, commissioning,
maintenance, operational (both normal production and abnormal/fault
handling), long term data recording and statistics/trending, links to the
commercial systems of the host company (ERP/MES functions) and to other
suppliers via e-commerce.
A fully holonic future is speculated, where agents negotiate for supply of
raw materials and customers are connected directly to production - mass
customisation.
Biosketch:
In 1979 Colin Hales received a B. Eng Elec (Hons) at Monash University and
has spent 90% of his professional life self employed
professional Engineer in the area of Industrial Automation. Initially as a
contract programmer, Colin grew his company, Versalog Systems P/L to about
10 people and then spawnedmerged the business into Techeng P/L, and as CEO
and joint founder, developed it to about 25 people offering a range of
services: Software, Electrical Hardware design, Construct, Install,
Commission and Documentation. The company operated in a huge range of
industries. In 2001 Colin sold his share in the business and is currently
working on a 'Point of Sale Product' and the use of Intelligent Systems in
Industrial Automation. The use of Agents in this area is one of the goals.