A Petri Nets-Based Formal Approach to Multifacetted Modelling and Simulation of Complex Production Systems

Abstract Given the growing complexity of present-day production systems (PS) and their models, more particularly, the multiplicity of their objectives and perspectives, to redefine modelling in a broader perspective than currently done is an increasingly important task. More attention is paid to generic component modelling and supporting representations to enhance re-usability and portability of existing and new simulation models. This paper proposes a discrete event systems (DES) design approach that combines formal theory and a practical design notation. The authors' research integrates DEVS formalism, algebraic structures and Petri nets (PN) to achieve a systematic method for supporting the development of PN-based models.