Title: From static to sensor scheduling: distributed environment

Authors: Yahya Rashid, Kanji Ueda, Itsuo Hatono

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kobe University, Rokko, Nada, Kobe-657-8501, Japan. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kobe University, Rokko, Nada, Kobe-657-8501, Japan. Information Processing Center, Kobe University, Rokko, Nada, Kobe-657-8501, Japan

Abstract: Real-time scheduling is one of the key factors in improving manufacturing system efficiency. A distributed architecture is designed which shows the adaptability of agents in the changing environment and explains an algorithm for real-time scheduling. The agents| behaviour is tested while considering one of the changing parameters, that is machine breakdown, on two scheduling problems, a 6*6 Job-shop and a 6*6 flow-shop, in order to check and compare their behaviour in both the static and changing environments. In case of the changing environment, the machine breakdown is considered by assuming three types of machines in the sample problem. A simple ||dynamic sensor-scheduling information|| system which provides current information on the environment is used with the proposed architecture. The comparative results of the simulation show that under certain conditions it is possible to get a good schedule or a sub-optimal solution in the changing environment, within a certain specified duration. Finally, it is concluded that the deviation from the optimal solution is on the higher side if breakdown occurs in those machines which have higher processing times.

Keywords: agents; distributed real-time scheduling; genetic algorithm; Biological Manufacturing System; maximum lateness; performance evaluation; distributed architecture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2001.001431

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2001 Vol.3 No.6, pp.586-599

Published online: 03 Jul 2003 *

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