A modern manufacturing facility typically contains several distributed control systems, such as machining stations, assembly stations, and material handling and storage systems. Integrating Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology into these control systems provides a basis for monitoring and configuring their components in real-time. With the right structural modelling, it is then possible to evaluate designs and translate them into new operational applications almost immediately. This paper proposes an architecture for the structural modelling of an intelligent distributed control system for a manufacturing facility, by utilising RFID technology. Emphasis is placed on a requirements analysis of the manufacturing system, the design of RFID-enabled intelligent distributed control systems using Unified Modelling Language (UML) diagrams, and the use of efficient algorithms and tools for the implementation of these systems.
OPSOMMING'n Moderne vervaardigingsaanleg bestaan gewoonlik uit verskeie verspreide beheerstelsels soos masjineringstasies, monteerstasies en materiaalhantering-en stoorstelsels. Deur Radio Frekwensie Identifikasie (RFID) tegnologie met hierdie beheerstelsels te integreer, verskaf 'n basis vir intydse monitor en instel van die beheerstelsels se komponente. Met die regte strukturele modelleringbenadering is dit moontlik om ontwerpe byna onmiddellik te evalueer en verwerk tot nuwe operasionele toepassings. Hierdie navorsing stel 'n argitektuur voor vir die strukturele modellering van 'n intelligente verspreide beheerstelsel vir 'n vervaardigingsaanleg deur middel van RFID tegnologie. Die klem word op 'n behoefteanalise van die vervaardigingstelsel, die ontwerp van die RFID intelligente verspreide beheerstelsels deur UML diagramme en die gebruik van effektiewe algoritmes en gereedskap vir die implementering van die stelsels, geplaas.