Agent-Based Systems for Intelligent Manufacturing: A State-of-the-Art Survey

Agent technology has been considered as an important approach for developing distributed intelligent manufacturing systems. A number of researchers have attempted to apply agent technology to manufacturing enterprise integration, supply chain management, manufacturing planning, scheduling and control, materials handling, and holonic manufacturing systems. This paper gives a brief survey of some related projects in this area, and discusses some key issues in developing agent-based manufacturing systems such as agent technology for enterprise integration and supply chain management, agent encapsulation, system architectures, dynamic system reconfiguration, learning, design and manufacturability assessments, distributed dynamic scheduling, integration of planning and scheduling, concurrent scheduling and execution, factory control structures, potential tools and standards for developing agent-based manufacturing systems. An extensive annotated bibliography is provided.     

基于Agent面向软件重用的敏捷供应链模型

敏捷性和快速响应性是现代企业成功的关键因素，供应链管理正成为现代企业提高竞争力而采取的有效的先进手段，它要求敏捷化的信息系统支持，满足企业快速构造供应链的需要，因此，如何实现供应链系统的软件重用，就具有非常重要的现实意义，提出了将企业的商务逻辑与具体事务处理分开的思想，建立基于agent的敏捷化供应链管理模型，通过对商务逻辑的规则模型和软件代理的活动行为模型建立，利用ECA规则协调多代理系统的活动，从而有效地支持供应链动态建立，过程重组，增强供应链系统信息分布处理，软件可重用和规模可扩展能力。     

Fuel and energy system control at large-scale damages. 1. Network model and software implementation

A dynamic network flow model for analyzing aggregated energy supply processes, including the extraction, processing, transport, transformation, and redistribution of the main fuel and energy resources is prorosed. The changes in the functional characteristics of the energy system under large-scale disturbances are analyzed. The model is used to identify control strategies for energy flows in a damaged network. During optimization calculations, the set of problems on a single-product flow of the minimum value is solved. In addition, the software system based on the proposed model is described. The software system has an option to specify the locations of damage and scenarios for the subsequent restoration of network elements with the aim of fulfilling the user demands on the amount of energy supply. The proposed approach can be used to analyze the functional vulnerability of spatially distributed resource supply systems.     

Coordination and control for energy distribution in distributed grid networks: Theory and application to power dispatch problem

This paper presents a new framework considering decentralized energy coordination and generation, and flow control for supply–demand balance in distributed grid networks. Consensus schemes using only local information are employed to produce energy coordination, generation, and flow control signals. For the supply–demand balance, it is required to determine the amount of energy needed at each distributed resource. Also, due to the different generation capacities of each energy resource, coordination of energy flows among distributed energy resources is essentially required. Thus, this paper proposes a new framework which gives decentralized energy coordination scheme, generation, and flow control method considering these constraints based on distributed consensus algorithms. The proposed framework in this paper can be nicely utilized in energy dispatch or energy flow scheduling. Furthermore, it can be applied to various engineering problems including water irrigation systems, traffic networks, and building automation systems since it deals with attributed distribution and resource allocation in large scale distributed systems. Through illustrative examples, the effectiveness of the proposed approaches is illustrated. A possible application to power dispatch problem in the IEEE-14bus is also addressed for more detailed and realistic evaluation.     

A distributed control framework for smart grid development: Energy/water system optimal operation and electric grid integration

In this work, we propose a conceptual distributed control framework for electrical grid integrated with distributed renewable energy generation systems in order to enable the development of the so-called “smart electrical grid”. First, we introduce the key elements and their interactions in the proposed control architecture and discuss the design of the distributed control systems which are able to coordinate their actions to account for optimization considerations on the system operation. Subsequently, we focus on a specific wind/solar energy generation system connected to a reverse osmosis water desalination system and the electrical grid and design two supervisory predictive controllers via model predictive control to operate the integrated system taking into account short-term and long-term optimal maintenance and operation considerations, respectively. Simulations are carried out to illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

装备制造企业生产物流仿真系统

分析了装备制造企业生产物流的特点,属于典型的离散型复杂装备制造企业,生产过程复杂、物流供应链复杂,产品批量小,以定制生产为主。提出了基于离散事件建模的生产物流过程模型,研究了影响企业生产物流的约束条件及其相互关系;设计了装备制造企业生产物流仿真系统,实现了生产全过程的物流仿真。基于生产物流仿真系统,以某大型企业为研究应用背景,量化分析了生产过程物流的关键因素,并给出了相应建议。     

基于Ethereum的房地产供应链系统设计与实现

以太坊区块链技术是当今互联网时代的一项具有创新性、革命性的综合型分布式数据库账本技术,具有去中介化、自治性、数据不可篡改、可追溯、可编程等特点。分析了传统房地产供应链存在的不足,运用新兴的区块链技术,设计了基于以太坊智能合约的房地产供应链系统。给出了该系统的系统模型,包括系统流程和系统架构两部分。具体说明了系统所涉及到的四个功能模块。展示了系统的工作流程,并讨论了区块链+房地产供应链存在的问题。对区块链应用于房地产供应链领域进行总结,旨在为未来更好地将区块链应用于房地产供应链提供参考。     

A distributed architecture for reconfigurable control of continuous process operations

This paper considers a new distributed approach to reconfigurable control of continuous process operations such as in chemical plants. The research is set on a premise that emerging business pressures of product customization and industrial globalization will lead to increased need for reconfigurability in process plants. The ability of processes to support dynamic and smooth reorganization of process schemes in tandem with the changing requirements of supply chains will become important in future. Conventional control approaches based on hierarchical architectures are limited in dealing with such emerging requirements due to their inflexible structures and operating rules. Instead, more distributed approaches are required which can support increased level of reconfigurability in control systems, especially at the lower levels in hierarchy where the visibility to disturbances remains high. In this paper, one such distributed approach is considered based on the concepts of holonic manufacturing and supply chain management. The proposed approach distributes the functionality of process control into several reconfigurable process elements. These elements, while having a stand-alone capability for making their own control decisions, are also able to reconfigure themselves into alternative process schemes which evolve with the changing requirements of production. An analogy between process plants and so-called dynamic supply networks or virtual enterprises is used in this paper to define the composition of reconfigurable process elements and their operations. The proposed approach is shown to offer improved process control system reconfigurability and a control architecture which is compatible with the supply chain management needs at the next higher level. The purpose of this paper is qualitative and motivational. It is aimed to propose a new research direction in the field of reconfigurable process control.     

Supply Chain Model for the Semiconductor Industry of Global Market

Supply chain management (SCM) is a new approach to satisfy customers of products and services via an integrated management for the whole business processes of the manufacturing from the raw material procurement to the product or service delivery to customers. With the rapid development of the information technology and global market environment the company is required to manage whole supply chain network to gain the competitiveness in business. Typically semiconductor industry is the one whose supply chain network is distributed all over the world, and its manufacturing process has the particular characteristics which has to be considered in the modeling of supply chain. In this paper we suggest the push and pull type supply chain models and their mathematical formulation for the semiconductor industry of the global market. Die bank between the front-end and back-end in the semiconductor manufacturing process is assumed to be the decoupling point by which two models are divided. Push supply chain model is based on the high throughput and the balance of the WIP flow, which takes the characteristics of re-entrant mechanism into account. Pull supply chain model is constructed considering order-based manufacturing, distribution and transportation process in order to meet customer's request appropriately. Development issues of the system and its implementation are also discussed.     

SUPPLY SYSTEM DYNAMICS: DISTRIBUTED CONTROL IN SUPPLY CHAINS AND NETWORKS

The purpose of this article is to make a contribution to a more effective management for supply chains and networks, which we are subsuming under the title supply systems. We conceive of supply systems management as the design, control, and development of logistics along the value chain or in value networks. In this article, we concentrate on control, i.e., the regulation and steering of supply systems from production to customer and vice versa, with the help of system dynamics modeling and simulation. Traditionally, supply chain management has been heavily supported by discrete event simulation and optimization models on very detailed levels. Established tools, e.g., Manufacturing Resources Planning, Enterprise Resources Planning, and Production Planning Systems, have emphasized highly specialized functions, such as the planning for optimal capacity use and achievement of delivery goals, via the sequencing, scheduling, and dispatching of individual orders, or the global allocation of resources but without the possibility to evaluate different outcomes of the allocation process. In the quest for efficiency and effectiveness, new approaches to control, which lead beyond these functions of disposition, are needed. We present a model that combines two systemic methodologies that operate on higher levels of aggregation and complement each other: system dynamics to model and simulate the supply chain and cybernetic control to apply control-theoretical concepts, namely proportional, derivative, and integral control, in a combined mode as well as according to a recursive logic of distributed control. This way, substantial improvements in both efficiency and effectiveness can be achieved, and ultimately organizational viability can be enhanced.     

产业互联下面向云平台的智造供应链信息协作

平台的供应链信息协调问题,探索产业资源协作效率路径.本文提出云平台解决智造供应链信息协作的方案,该方案考虑了分布式协作理论应对庞大供应链业务数据的技术优势,构建了分布式下实时动态更新算法和共享数据资源池相结合的供应链企业数据互联互通协作模型,以提升产业制造的“智造”能力.最后以家居产业供应链进行分析论证,验证了云平台模型构建的可行性和有效性.     

Applications of agent-based systems in intelligent manufacturing: An updated review

Agent technology has been recognized as a promising paradigm for next generation manufacturing systems. Researchers have attempted to apply agent technology to manufacturing enterprise integration, enterprise collaboration (including supply chain management and virtual enterprises), manufacturing process planning and scheduling, shop floor control, and to holonic manufacturing as an implementation methodology. This paper provides an update review on the recent achievements in these areas, and discusses some key issues in implementing agent-based manufacturing systems such as agent encapsulation, agent organization, agent coordination and negotiation, system dynamics, learning, optimization, security and privacy, tools and standards.     

Toward a cloud-based manufacturing execution system for distributed manufacturing

This paper illustrates the needs and challenges for the management of distributed manufacturing in a multi-company supply chain and processes these further as features of new IT systems. Requirements are collected from manufacturing companies and combined with insights from literature in the field of current ERP/MES system drawbacks, advantages, needs and challenges. The findings show that the needs and challenges in data integration inside SME networks are closely related to the limitations of current supply chain solutions. Current ERP-solutions lack extended enterprise support and a shared cloud-based approach. On the other hand, current MES solutions can operate the manufacturing process, but not for distributed manufacturing. As an answer to the requirements, we made a proposal for the core of architecture for next generation of MES solution in this position paper. Moreover, a pilot software tool has been developed to support the needs related to real time, cloud-based, light weight operation.     

论制造物联技术与供应链可视化管理

制造物联技术突破了现有制造系统在信息获取、控制、人机交互和管理方面的集成度差以及协同能力弱的局限,通过制造环境下感知设备(RFID、传感器等)的分布式协同提高供应链系统的性能,大幅提高了制造效率.可视化供应链系统创新企业运作模式和业务流程,降低产品成本和资源消耗,为用户提供更加可视化和个性化的服务.     

Dynamic mobile RFID-based supply chain control and management system in construction

Construction project control attempts to effectively obtain real-time information and enhance dynamic control and management via information sharing and analysis from involved participants of the projects to reduce construction conflicts and project delay. However, extending the construction project control system to job sites is considered inefficient since construction sites are unconventional practice. Integrating promising information technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, mobile devices-PDA and web portals can help improve the effectiveness and convenience of information flow in construction supply chain control systems. Radio frequency identification is appropriate for various construction applications, and provides cost savings through increased speed and accuracy of data entry. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a RFID-based supply chain management application called the mobile construction RFID-based dynamic supply chain management (M-ConRDSCM) system in construction projects, demonstrating that it responds efficiently and enhances the information flow among offices and sites in a construction supply chain environment. The M-ConRDSCM system is then applied to a selected case study involving a High-Tech factory building in Taiwan to verify the proposed methodology and demonstrate the effectiveness of information sharing of project control in the construction phase. The advantage of the M-ConRDSCM system lies not only in improving work efficiency for on-site engineers, but also in providing dynamic operation control and management to enable project participants to control the whole project. Moreover, this study presents a generic system architecture and its implementation.     

基于拉格朗日松弛算法的分布式供应链优化

为解决分布环境下的无协调中心的供应链生产计划的协调问题,提出了一种基于拉格朗目松弛算法的折扣价格协调优化策略。针对企业计划只能基于本地信息的特点,利用拉格朗日松弛算法将企业之间的物料耦合约束松弛掉,从而把整个供应链计划问题分解为多个可利用本地信息求解的企业生产计划子问题。通过上下游企业之间对折扣价格（拉格朗目算子）的异步更新,可以逐步获取整个供应链生产计划的优化解,从而实现分布环境下的供应链生产计划的异步协调。仿真实验证明了该方案的可行性。     

Supervisory control of a multi-echelon supply chain: A modular Petri net approach for inter-organizational control

Petri nets (PNs) are frequently utilized to model system dynamics due to their ability to handle concurrencies and sequential dependence. In this paper, a portion of the supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model has been extracted and modeled using PNs for the purpose of exerting supervisory control upon a multi-echelon supply chain (SC). The activities of source, make and deliver, inherent in the SCOR model form the basis of the representation of the PN model for each echelon considered in the SC model. Two control nets are utilized: one above the base model of each echelon to exert local constraints and an enterprise level supply chain manager (SCM). The local constraints are at the tactical and operational levels while the SCM enforces additional constraints consisting of long term planning goals at the strategic level. Place invariants are used to create the supervisors. Performance measures of the total SC are formulated to determine the effectiveness of any partnership. An efficient method for finding the current state of the system is developed which is used to determine the performance measures of each echelon. This paper presents a modular approach to the overall structure and PN modeling for a SC system. It is intended to extend the use of supervisory control from a shop-floor level to an inter-organizational facility and enterprise level.     

Dynamic supply chain scheduling

Based on a combination of fundamental results of modern optimal program control theory and operations research, an original approach to supply chain scheduling is developed in order to answer the challenges of dynamics, uncertainty, and adaptivity. Both supply chain schedule generation and execution control are represented as an optimal program control problem in combination with mathematical programming and interpreted as a dynamic process of operations control within an adaptive framework. Hence, the problems and models of planning, scheduling, and adaptation can be consistently integrated on a unified mathematical axiomatic of modern control theory. In addition, operations control and flow control models are integrated and applicable for both discrete and continuous processes. The application of optimal control for supply chain scheduling becomes possible by formulating the scheduling model as a linear non-stationary finite-dimensional controlled differential system with the convex area of admissible control and a reconfigurable structure. For this model class, theorems of optimal control existence can be used regarding supply chain scheduling. The essential structural property of this model are the linear right parts of differential equations. This allows applying methods of discrete optimization for optimal control calculation. The calculation procedure is based on applying Pontryagin’s maximum principle and the resulting essential reduction of problem dimensionality that is under solution at each instant of time. The gained insights contribute to supply chain scheduling theory, providing advanced insights into dynamics of the whole supply chains (and not any dyadic relations in them) and transition from a partial “one-way” schedule optimization to the feedback loop-based dynamic and adaptive supply chain planning and scheduling.     

Distributed recommender for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing

A novel model of distributed knowledge recommender system is proposed to facilitate knowledge sharing among collaborative team members. Different from traditional recommender systems in the client-server architecture, our model is oriented to the peer-to-peer (P2P) environment without the centralized control. Among the P2P network of collaborative team members, each peer is deployed with one distributed knowledge recommender, which can supply proper knowledge resources to peers who may need them. This paper investigates the key techniques for implementing the distributed knowledge recommender model. Moreover, a series of simulation-based experiments are conducted by using the data from a real-world collaborative team in an enterprise. The experimental results validate the efficiency of the proposed model. This research paves the way for developing platforms that can share and manage large-scale distributed knowledge resources. This study also provides a new framework for simulating and studying individual or organizational behaviors of knowledge sharing in a collaborative team.     

供应链中控制多级存储的射频辨识Push/Pull混合策略设计与仿真

由于射频辨识(radio frequency identification,RFID)激励的电子看板系统能够从远端看见供应链节点企业库存的状况,使得广域分布的供应链多级存储能够实现RFID激励的Pull控制.本文根据供应链分销网络多级存储的结构特点,以及系统运作期间各阶段节点企业的功能,在不同阶段采用不同的控制策略.因此,设计了多种不同的RFID激励的Push/Pull混合控制策略.为了比较和验证各混合策略对多级存储的控制性能,建立了以总库存成本、总缺货损失、总运行成本和库存周转率作为评价策略性能的指标体系.由于供应链系统的动态性与随机性,难以进行数学建模和精确求解,因此基于离散事件系统仿真原理,设计并实现了仿真模型.通过对各策略下多种结构的供应链分销网络多级存储的仿真,验证并分析了制造商阶段采用Push控制,分销商和零售商阶段采用Pull控制的策略的有效性和最优性.