Abstract
This paper presents the findings of exploratory research on the potential of semiotics for manufacturing systems integration (MSI). The findings strongly suggest that semiotics might be the basis for a new paradigm for MSI. In the first part of the paper a number of needs for the new semiotic-based integration paradigm are presented. The second part of the paper introduces the basic notions of semiotics and provides a discussion on the use of semiotics in MSI. The third part presents a framework for the semiotics-based MSI, together with a model of the semiotics-based MSI, entitled ‘generative integration’ (GI). In the final part, some experimental set-ups, i.e. prototype demonstrators of the manufacturing systems, elements and systems, are presented as a platform for future research and development of the semiotics-based MSI.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the support of: 1) The Foundation for Science and Technology – FCT, Project PTDC/EME-GIN/102143/2008, ‘Ubiquitous oriented embedded systems for globally distributed factories of manufacturing enterprises’, 2) EUREKA, Project E!4177- Pro-Factory UES.