Manufacturing Service Bus Integration Model for Implementing Highly Flexible and Scalable Manufacturing Systems

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents an integration model for designing manufacturing systems using the concept of manufacturing service bus. The manufacturing service bus (MSB) provides a uniform communication framework at the shop floor layer, integrating all components involved. The main characteristics of the MSB integration layer together with the advantages and requirements of the software products used in this model are discussed. The overall architectural goal of this integration model is to assure a very low coupling between the modules at the shop floor level, providing a high degree of flexibility for the manufacturing enterprises. Physical resources as production line robots, conveyors and existing transportation paths, scheduling algorithms can be plugged in and out without or with a very low impact on the entire system functionality. Another important aspect of this design is that it provides elasticity through a dynamic queued communication model, allowing a seamless scaling capability at the shop floor level.