Enhancing adaptive production using IEC 61499 event-driven function blocks

Reduction of production costs and the ability to continuously improve is a must for every manufacturer. High availability in a dynamic and complex production environment demands adaptability to recurring changes. Each device within the production systems holds more and more intelligence and computing power which supports an approach implementing the standard of IEC 61499 to enhance adaptive production by enabling a distributed automation system with improved productivity. Research approaching IEC 61499 is investigated and reported in this paper, covering both control of manufacturing equipment and adaptive process planning. The objective is to develop methodologies for process planning as well as machine control and monitoring for machining and assembly operations in a dynamic, adaptive and distributed environment using event-driven function blocks.