Prototype software for automatic generation of on-line control programs for discrete manufacturing processes

Abstract

This report describes prototype software for automatically generating control programs for discrete manafacturing processes from a high-level description of the system control logic. The control logic is synthesized from a specification of the physical resource states required for each operation in the process. The software described in this report allows the user to specify interactively the operation sequencing logic and the actuators and sensors for each stage of the process. This information is then used to automatically generate code for on-line control computers. The current implementation supports binary sensor and actuator signals. The methodology is illustrated for the automatic generation of instruction list code to control a conveyor system in an existing robotic assembly plant. Keywords: menu; user manuals.