MAS for modelling dynamic manufacturing systems

This paper presents a short overview of the functionalities of the modelling tool developed in the project framework Enterprise Modelling and Performance Optimisation for SME's (EMPOSME). The tool has been designed and developed for generic manufacturing systems. The tool provides the users with a number of functionalities; it describes all basic entities involved in manufacturing, as well as providing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for defining and editing, workflows, relationships among entities, calendar and other kinds of constraints. One of the new functionalities is the validation tool that checks the consistency of the input data, as well as checking for possible conflicts among input constraints to filter out relevant data for planners. The Calendar tool allows definition of the capacity of single entities, the most important element for calculating plans. There are many alternative resources and technical approaches available for performing these activities; however, this would result in performance differing from one to the next as a result of differing approaches to variables. One of the variables that influence the performance is the Skills of the operators and technological parameters of the related resource. As a result of this requirement, the Skills editor is implemented, which provides users with a variety of options to define the relationships and commitments between resources and activities. These relationships are useful for making plans. In the meantime the functionalities of the modelling tool have been evaluated by practitioners and their feedback has provided the developers with valuable information for the next set of improvements.