Agent-driven distributed-manufacturing model for mass customisation

Mass-customized production systems are challenging in that they intend to provide custom-specific products at the price of conventional mass production. Since this also includes small production volumes, the manufacturing systems must achieve flexibility, easy reconfigurability, and a totally product-oriented approach. In this paper, we introduce a flexible-automation model developed within the scope of the European Union-funded PABADIS project (Plant Automation Based on Distributed Systems) that meets these requirements by combining Plug-and-Participate technology with software agents.

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