Modelling of a production system using the multi-agent network approach

Abstract

Since robotic systems become increasingly widespread in manufacturing environments, the need for improving production efficiency is the key factor for applying robots in industry. There are many different reasons involving robots application for manufacturing task realization. The most common reasons include their reliability, high quality of work, flexibility, inherent accuracy and repeatability. The approach to the problem of manufacturing processes robotization has changed a lot over several last years. In this article is presented the approach based on multi-agent systems approach resulting in the application for supporting functioning of the system of robotized manufacturing workcells. Complexity of the components created robotized workcells causes, that already at the design phase, it is necessary to develop models presenting various aspects of their structure and functioning. These models are simplified representation of real systems, allowing predicting some behaviour or responses what leads to systematize knowledge about the designed workcell. All of these factors involve, as the consequence, the additional difficulties associated with the process of decision-making. They concern, among other, on the coordination of components of such distributed system like a workcell and on providing the access to the required information, thereby generating unnecessary costs. The aim of this approach is determining the method for a flexible response and preventing situations that might contribute to delay of the robot task. The virtual system was modelled and simulated in common robot offline programming software.