Real-Time Data and Coordination Control for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems

Abstract

Reconfigurability is the ability to rearrange modules or controls based on new constraints or requirements. It includes the ability to add new control to the system and it should be easy, fast, and inexpensive. An important aspect in realizing reconfigurable manufacturing systems (see http://erc.engin.umich.eduand [3])is developing the necessary real-time control techniques and associated software and hardware systems to effect them. Reconfigurable systems appear to need largely autonomous modular units, and the required real-time control systems should be designed in a modular way for a distributed environment. One aspect are the interactions with the manufacturing environment which involves large quantities of real-time sensor, actuator and control data which need to be managed correctly and efficiently. We believe that the analysis and design of distributed real-time control systems in a modular heterogeneous environment will require the study of two complementary areas:

• development of modular, distributed, reconfigurable real-time control strategies — i.e, an area within control systems

• design and implementation of modular, distributed real-time coordination software, on heterogeneous platforms — i.e., an area under computer software systems