A system solution for integration of process planning and control in flexible manufacturing

Abstract

Presents a proposal of computer integrated production planning and shopfloor control in a modular robot served flexible manufacturing cell. The manufacturing functions involving scheduling, despatching and monitoring are integrated and mapped onto the multi‐level system architecture. Discusses functions of the system software modules, principles of communication between them and the technical requirements imposed on the system. Introduces simulation modelling tools based on the Petri net formalism to support the user in developing schedule solutions and estimating the overall manufacturing performance of the specific cell.