This chapter describes the implementation of an agile autonomous agent-based manufacturing system based on a set of cheap production machines placed in a grid. This grid contains production machines, represented by agents, capable to perform certain production steps and also an infrastructure for transporting the products to be made. Products to be made are also represented by agents. Many different products can be made in parallel, each product having its own sequence of production steps and its own path along the production machines. The whole manufacturing is based on interaction of autonomous agents living in a distributed environment. This chapter discusses the basic design considerations and includes a description of a simulation model of the transport system used during production. The chapter ends with a discussion of using agent technology during the whole life cycle of a product, where a life-cycle agent becomes the basis of Internet of Things technology.

Chapter Contents:

• Abstract
• 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 Manufacturing concepts and technologies
• 6.2.1 Production concepts
• 6.2.2 Push-driven versus pull-driven manufacturing
• 6.2.3 Lean manufacturing
• 6.2.4 Agile manufacturing
• 6.3 Standard production automation
• 6.3.1 Standard automation software
• 6.3.2 Properties of standard automation
• 6.3.3 Batch switches and new products
• 6.3.4 Summary
• 6.4 Equiplet-based production
• 6.4.1 Properties of equiplet-based production
• 6.4.1.1 Small-scale production
• 6.4.1.2 Time to market
• 6.4.1.3 Reliability
• 6.4.2 Enablers for the equiplet-based production
• 6.5 Software infrastructure of the manufacturing system
• 6.5.1 Agents
• 6.5.1.1 Multiagent systems
• 6.5.2 Multiagent production system
• 6.5.2.1 The agent-based automation pyramid
• 6.5.2.2 Summary of the agile production system
• 6.5.3 Human interaction
• 6.6 The transport system
• 6.6.1 Implementation
• 6.6.1.1 Core system
• 6.6.1.2 Graphical user interface
• 6.7 Benefits beyond production, the life-cycle agent
• 6.7.1 Design and production
• 6.7.2 Distribution
• 6.7.3 Use
• 6.7.3.1 Collecting information
• 6.7.3.2 Maintenance and repair
• 6.7.3.3 Miscellaneous
• 6.7.3.4 Internet of Things
• 6.7.4 Recycling
• 6.8 Summary
• References
• Conclusion of part 2

Inspec keywords: agile manufacturing; production engineering computing; Internet of Things

Other keywords: production machines; transport system; agile manufacturing model; autonomous agents; internet of things technology; life-cycle agent

Subjects: Production engineering computing; Industrial applications of IT; Manufacturing systems; Computer networks and techniques