Title: Design and evaluation of real-time distributed manufacturing control systems

Authors: Martyn Fletcher, Robert W. Brennan, Scott Olsen, Douglas H. Norrie

Addresses: Agent Oriented Software Limited, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RX, UK. ' Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N, Canada

Abstract: In this paper, we describe two general models for designing real-time distributed manufacturing control systems based on the IEC61499 (function block) standard. In order to construct IEC61499 function blocks, each model utilises UML capsules within an object-oriented framework. In the first model we treat a function block as a single capsule, while in the second we model the function block as a component containing multiple capsules. The key difference between these two viewpoints is the granularity of control we have over the function block|s operation and its location within the decentralised manufacturing environment. We also evaluate the merits of these two viewpoints using a discrete-event simulation experimental test bed.

Keywords: real-time control; distributed control; manufacturing control; IEC61499; RT-UML; function blocks; object-oriented modelling; decentralised manufacturing; discrete-event simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2006.008798

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2006 Vol.8 No.1/2/3, pp.264 - 282

Published online: 25 Jan 2006 *

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