Multi-agent solution for automated part supply in robotized holonic manufacturing

Abstract

The paper describes a solution extending existing semi-heterarchical manufacturing control architectures with automated component supply of robotized workstations’ local storages. Missing components are retrieved from a central feeding system by a visually guided SCARA robot and placed on pallets which are then carried by a twin-track conveyor towards the depleted storages. Workstation robots resupply then their local storages and acknowledge the current operation on the product to be resumed. The supply control at the central feeding station is based on the multi-agent technique; the information counterparts (the supply holons) of the component carriers (the supply pallets) generate simultaneously multiple requests to the central feeding robot (the supply station resource holon), compete to be granted immediate service, and cooperate to reach in common the best decision for the pallet feeding order that delays as little as possible production execution according to the current optimized batch planning and product scheduling.