APPSS-An agent-based dynamic process planning and scheduling system

摘要

Towards the 21st century, the world market is increasingly dynamic, turbulent and competitive. As a result, the responsiveness of manufacturing systems is becoming critical for manufacturing enterprises to fulfil the competitive market needs. In this paper, a new framework of an integrated dynamic process planning and scheduling system, Agent-Based Dynamic Process Planning and Scheduling System (APPSS) is introduced. This framework is not only enabling the dynamically optimised utilisation of manufacturing resources but also providing a platform on which alternative configurations of manufacturing systems can be assessed. This would result in a preliminary move heading towards agile manufacturing. The idea of Agents Technology is adopted which constitutes the backbone of this framework.