DESIGN OF A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ON-LINE SIMULATION SYSTEM TO CONTROL A MANUFACTURING SHOP FLOOR

Abstract

In this paper, the design principles of a new knowledge-based on-line simulation (KBOLS) architecture for the purpose of integrating the supervisory decision making process with a shop floor control system is discussed. The requirements for implementing the KBOLS architecture in a computer integrated manufacturing environment are presented. The special features of the KBOLS architecture include a knowledge-based controller capable of interacting with the shop floor and a manufacturing simulator, a shared blackboard data structure for knowledge bases, and a learning module. The KBOLS architecture is implemented in a flexible manufacturing system for analyzing interruptions due to machine breakdowns and rush orders.