An object-oriented framework for production control

In the process industry the current computer architecture is based on the hierarchy of operational functions. At the lower control levels the functions are offered as configurable building blocks, but at the higher levels no fixed structure is used. Generally, data modelling is neglected and if data models are present they are poorly accessible for the end user. By using an abstract framework of object-oriented models an important breakthrough can be expected. The data with the functions are ordered so that a high degree of reusability and maintainability can be provided. Also the framework acts as a checklist and speeds up the analysis phase. In this paper a framework is presented for the application domain of the industrial production. It consists of seven structures. Thus far, this has been worked out roughly for logistics and control of continuous, batch processes, and pseudo continuous processes, such as milling.