No abstract

No abstract

This paper investigates the feasibility of using an agent-based framework to configure, control and coordinate dynamic, real-time robotic operations with the use of ontology manufacturing principles. Production automation agents use ontology models that represent the knowledge in a manufacturing environment for control and configuration purposes. The ontological representation of the production environment is discussed. Using this framework, the manufacturing resources are capable of autonomously embedding themselves into the existing manufacturing enterprise with minimal human intervention, while, at the same time, the coordination of manufacturing operations is achieved without extensive human involvement. The specific framework was implemented, tested and validated in a feasibility study upon a laboratory robotic assembly cell with typical industrial components, using real data derived from a car-floor welding process.

No abstract

This paper investigates the flexibility aspects of production systems that use highly interactive and autonomous mobile robotic units. Open communication architectures and ontology technologies enable the accurate representation of robot capabilities. Mobile robots can relocate themselves and support the production process, thus providing a higher reconfiguration potential. Services are used for real time transactions between stationary and mobile robots towards the implementation of a process plan. The units can cooperate and determine their course of actions. This approach was applied to an experimental cell, where the system managed to implement production plans for the packaging of small sized products without human intervention.