Modeling a Manufacturing System by Using XML - Petri Nets Technology

Abstract

In this paper we propose an approach of modeling and simulation of a manufacturing process based on timed colored Petri nets, by developing an application based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language) technology. The architecture of an XML file that characterizes a Petri nets includes specific attributes for positions, transitions, arcs and variable declarations and color sets. This makes it possible to modify the model from a structural point of view very easily by adding lines of code for the required colors, positions, transitions and arcs. In order to generate the default model and to customize the XML-type structure, an application was created where characteristic parameters of the manufacturing process will be introduced as well as the values of the program entry. The manufacturing system considered is the realization of the sunroof component within a company. During the simulation process, the working time will be considered as 8 hours. When product demands change, the simulated model can be modified very quickly to perform the analysis according to the new requirements. The arrangement of the entities of the production system can be reconfigured, the production process can be adjusted and the resources reallocated according to the simulation results.