Generic Framework for Holonic Modelling and Multi-Agent Based Verification of Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems

Abstract

Globalization and mass customization are demanding a higher level of productivity. The relevance of modelling approaches to the study and design of reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) is widely claimed to achieve the highest productivity. Principally, reconfigurability in manufacturing systems should support the changeability with precisely the production capacity and functionality needed and exactly when needed. Simulation of such reconfigurable systems has become more and more difficult with the increasing complexity of system requirements. In spite of the promising methodology for designing RMS, an effective framework that bridges the gap between conceptual modelling level process and simulation level process is still a major challenge for Scientist. For this reason, we propose in this paper a generic framework especially designed for building and running executable agent-based models of RMS. This framework relies on SysML (Systems Modelling Language) models specifications, the holonic system techniques and multi-agent system in order to generate executable models of RMS. The considered case study for this paper is based on a steel converter process. Results showed an increase in the productivity rate after simulating the reconfigurability test cases through the developed agent-based models.