INESC Porto develops automated system for the footwear industry

INESC Porto develops automated system for the footwear industry

The Manufacturing Systems Engineering Unit (UESP) made recent progress with Project SIBAP, an Automated Balancing System for Production Lines. The system is geared towards the footwear industry and aims to design and develop an automated balancing system for Production Lines. The system will include graph operating sequences. It is suitable for labour-intensive production and it is linked to the concept and development of automated logistics systems capable of putting into practice the advanced balancing results.

25th January 2011

The system aims to balance the operations performed on the production line and be more efficient by eliminating production losses that are found in current systems. These losses are caused by the growing variety of models being produced by factories which has led to the exponential growth of information needed to be processed such as, operational sequences that are different for each model, small production lots and the limits in place, pair by pair production, short operational times, order priorities, colours, individual shops and deadlines. Furthermore, the versatility of the operators, availability of equipments and materials should also be considered. 

INESC Porto will be involved in the development and implementation of the balancing algorithms, production lines and will also participate in the development of automated systems to support the graph operating sequences.

The partnership between Flowmat as the promoter and entities from the Scientific and Technological System (SCT), The Portuguese Shoe Technological Center (CTCP) and INESC Porto will lead this project. Rui Rebelo will be in charge of the INESC Porto team and will be supported by José Soeiro Ferreira as the scientific advisor as well as Paulo Sá Marques, Marta Fonseca and Nicolau Santos.

BIP November 2010