Agent-based control of manufacturing processes

Modern manufacturing systems deal with highly dynamic and complex processes, and need to adapt to rapid changes in manufacturing environments. These requirements can be met by model-based control that greatly improves process adaptiveness by integrating process phenomena knowledge with advanced simulation tools. Intelligent agent-based technologies provide a flexible platform for the implementation of model-based control. Two model-based control systems were implemented using an agent-based architecture: a linear, tuneable model for the plastic thermoforming process, and a non-linear, mathematical and rule-based model for the metal powder grinding process. Resulting advantages and improvements in performance, adaptiveness and productivity are highlighted.