Modeling and Analysis of Processing Flow in a Flexible Manufacturing System Using Synchronized Petri Nets

Abstract

This paper presents the modeling and analysis of processing flow in a flexible manufacturing system. We considered the case of a flexible manufacturing system consists of three machining centers MC1, MC2, MC3 and two material handling system which assure parts loading and discharge, respectively. The parts incorporate an Arduino system with XBee wireless module. These embedded systems connected through a network wireless can allow easy identification of parts, easy identification of their position, of performed operations, ensuring optimal guiding pallets. In order to be able to model all the requirements imposed were used synchronized Petri nets with inhibiting arcs and with threshold test. Developed model aims to optimize parts flow, under the conditions in which MC1 and MC3 have a buffer for 3 parts and MC2 have a buffer for 4 parts, respectively. By implementing a wireless ZigBee network for the control of parts movement it provides a modern solution by which central control system will know the position of every intelligent parts and will be able change the flow of processing according to unpredictable circumstances. FMS modeling is useful both in the design to implementation of the program which controls material movements and machine flow, as well as part of exploitation, providing a clear view of FMS functioning. By that model verified through simulation it was able to optimize the flow of parts, so as that there are no blockage in the flow of manufacturing. The study allows software implementation of control systems for the FMS.