Multi-agent Interaction Structure for Enabling Subsidiary Planning and Control in Modular Production Systems

Abstract

AbstractModular production systems enable resilient production processes through decoupled production processes. On the way to implementing flexible and adaptable production systems, information support plays a decisive role. Only the use of intelligent and structured information processing across previous system boundaries and areas enables the coordination of requirements and capacities in dynamic production environments. The rigid communication structures in information systems of current production systems therefore need to be replaced by dynamic interaction, both horizontally between entities and vertically between different hierarchical levels. Multi-agent systems (MAS) are one way to meet the requirements for centralized and decentralized decision making in complex (cyber physical production) systems (CPPS). To prepare the instantiation of a MAS, it is necessary to structure and describe the information flows of a production system.In this paper, the results of a simulation experiment for the implementation of collaborative, subsidiary decision making based on a model-based system structure are presented. Productivity potentials of more than 10% can be shown by using collaborative manufacturing strategies.