Resolution of deadlocks in flexible manufacturing systems: Avoidance and recovery approaches

Abstract One problem that has often been overlooked in research in flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) design and operation is deadlocking. An FMS deadlock is a situation where machines have been allocated parts so that further part movement is inhibited. In our earlier paper, a procedure to detect deadlocks was presented. In this paper, two approaches to resolve deadlock problems, namely avoidance and recovery, are presented and analyzed. These approaches can be used to avoid or resolve deadlocks during active control of the FMS. A simulation study to compare deadlock resolution approaches to conventional approaches for avoiding deadlocks is also presented. Results of the analysis are presented.