Development of multi-level adaptive control and scheduling solutions for shop-floor automation in reconfigurable manufacturing systems

The proposed work outlines the production system (re)configuration problem from the real-time system automation perspective. A multi-level approach to support the development of adaptive automation systems in reconfigurable manufacturing systems is introduced. Starting from the hardware resources selected to face the production demand, the developed approach enables the identification and modelling of automation tasks, as well as the design and implementation of the distributed self-adaptive control solutions based on IEC 61499. A deeper focus on a dynamic algorithm to schedule automation tasks over time is outlined. Finally, preliminary analyses are illustrated with reference to a robotic cell operating in a pilot assembly line. (C) 2011 CIRP.