Title: Agent-based control of manufacturing processes

Authors: Zahir Albadawi, Benoit Boulet, Robert DiRaddo, Patrick Girard, Alexandre Rail, Vincent Thomson

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2K6, Canada. ' Department of Electrical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2A7, Canada. ' Industrial Materials Institute, National Research Council, Boucherville, QC J4B 6Y4, Canada. ' Industrial Materials Institute, National Research Council, Boucherville, QC J4B 6Y4, Canada. ' Domfer Metal Powders, Lasalle QC H8N 2S3, Canada.' Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2K6, Canada

Abstract: Modern manufacturing systems deal with highly dynamic and complex processes, and need to adapt to rapid changes in manufacturing environments. These requirements can be met by model-based control that greatly improves process adaptiveness by integrating process phenomena knowledge with advanced simulation tools. Intelligent agent-based technologies provide a flexible platform for the implementation of model-based control. Two model-based control systems were implemented using an agent-based architecture: a linear, tuneable model for the plastic thermoforming process, and a non-linear, mathematical and rule-based model for the metal powder grinding process. Resulting advantages and improvements in performance, adaptiveness and productivity are highlighted.

Keywords: adaptivity; agent-based control; intelligent agents; architecture; ball mill grinding; diagnostics; error recovery; flexibility; model-based control; plastic thermoforming; metal powder grinding; agent-based systems; manufacturing control; automation objects.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMR.2006.012256

International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.466 - 481

Published online: 31 Jan 2007 *

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