A component-based distributed control paradigm for manufacturing automation system

Manufacturing enterprises need to have agile manufacturing automation systems that can be responsive to changes in demand and operate efficiently within the context of a global business economy. Manufacturing automation systems that possess the capabilities to support flexibility, reconfigurability and reusability would enable enterprises to have a competitive edge in their markets. However, traditional approaches to manufacturing automation systems development and implementation are typically rigid in nature and thus do not provide the capabilities to adequately support the required levels of agility. This thesis has specified and developed a paradigm for developing and implementing an agile manufacturing automation system. [Continues.]