Adaptive Job Control in the Cognitive Factory

Abstract

In order to stay competitive, producing companies have to meet the constantly rising customer’s individual requirements. One central element is the demand for customized products at short delivery times and reasonable costs In this context, the field of production planning and shop floor is of utmost importance. A promising approach for the realization of a high degree of flexibility and, at the same time, a high productivity is the implementation of artificial cognitive capabilities. The paper outlines the paradigm of the “Cognitive Factory” that combines the advantages of automated systems with the flexibility, adaptability and reactivity of human workshops. As an example, the adaptive job control is elucidated in detail. Here, so-called smart products have, on the one hand, a “backpack” with knowledge about “their” production process and their current state. On the other hand, they are able to communicate with manufacturing resources. Thus, the individual workpiece is able to control itself throughout the production process. The productspecific experiences during order processing are used for continuously updating the knowledge models. The feasibility and benefit of the holistic approach was successfully shown by the implementation in a realistic production environment.