Research Initiation: Distributed Shop Floor Control in LargeIntegrated Manufacturing Systems

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9410199 Veeramani The objective of this research is to investigate synthesis and algorithm issues pertaining to distributed control of large manufacturing systems comprised of many autonomous intelligent devices. Several facets of distributed control will be investigated. One aspect of the research will focus on the development of models and methodologies to characterize and compare alternative distributed control architectures and theoretical prediction of information and communication system performance and requirements. A second aspect focuses on the development of robust, real time distributed control algorithms that differ in terms of the definition of customers and contractor nodes, the nature of interaction between devices and the control policies that relate to how devices decide whether to participate in an auction. This aspect of research will also investigate how bids are contracted and evaluated by devices, and how the devices react to unexpected events. The algorithms will be evaluated through discrete event simulation of manufacturing systems models and through emulation of such a manufacturing system by a network of computer. The research will facilitate the development of a new class of high-performance intelligent manufacturing systems that can possibly provide more flexibility and responsiveness to system changes. New control algorithms that enhances system performance and flexibility may result from the research. Enhanced systems performance can increase the competitiveness of such a system.