A Structured Methodology for Development of Heterarchical Control Software for Manufacturing Cells Using Windows-DNA

摘要

Heterarchical shop floor control systems catch more attention than other forms in last decade as they promise modularity, robustness, fault-tolerance, maintability, extendability and cost-reduction. This paper presents a structured methodology for design and implementation of heterarchical shop floor control systems using an industrial framework, Windows-DNA. A model for adapting heterarchical systems to three-tier architecture of Windows-DNA is proposed. A pilot design is performed using the methodology for an experimental manufacturing cell and the critical issues that should be considered for the ultimate harmony of a heterarchical system with DNA are addressed. Designed system is implemented for an experimental manufacturing cell and sample views of the human interfaces in action are presented.