Design of a Production Activity Control System for the Computer Integrated Manufacturing Enviroment

摘要

This thesis describes the results of researchintoprovision ofProduction ActivityControl (PAC) in Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems formanufactureofdiscreteparts.Therole and environment ofPACsystemsis described,againstthe backgroundofdevelopmentof the discreteparts manufacturingindustry.Strategiesand architecturesfor building PACsystems are reviewed,in terms ofthe goals ofPACsystems, and the categorisation of existingdesignapproaches.Anoveldesign foraPACsystemispresented.Amodel of manufacturingisdescribedupon which the systemdesign is based,and whichdefines theapplicability of the proposed system.The heterarchical, data-drivensystemarchitectureisexplained, and the wayinwhich the system'sdesignsupports thevarious aspect ofPAC functionality is described. Asimple exampleispresentedto illustrate the workings of the system asitaccepts production orders andcontrols production.Anexperimentalimplementationof the systemis described,and the resultsdiscussed. Recommendations for future implementationsare'madein furtherdiscussion, stemmingfrom the experiences of this experimentation, andfromconsideration of widerissues in the developmentof manufacturing technology.The thesis concludes with abriefstatement of achiever nts, an'' somerecommendations for directionsoffurtherresearch.