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Monitoring and controlling the complex product assembly executive process via mobile agents and RFID tags

Huibin Sun (Key Laboratory of Contemporary Design and Integrated Manufacturing Technology, Northwestern Polytechnic University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China)
Zhiyong Chang (Key Laboratory of Contemporary Design and Integrated Manufacturing Technology, Northwestern Polytechnic University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China)
Rong Mo (Key Laboratory of Contemporary Design and Integrated Manufacturing Technology, Northwestern Polytechnic University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China)

Assembly Automation

ISSN: 0144-5154

Article publication date: 31 July 2009

685

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve the asynchrony problem between the logistics stream and the information stream in the complex product assembly executive process.

Design/methodology/approach

States of assembly and logistics are described by transitions, and implemented via logistics agents and assembly agents. Events in the assembly executive process are described by places, and mapped to radio frequency identification (RFID) tags' states. An agent‐based complex product assembly framework is proposed. Mobile agents are used to encapsulate task and data, and RFID tags' states are able to trigger dispatching of assembly agents and executing of assembly tasks. Assisted by mobile agents' retraction mechanism, on‐site data are carried back when assembly tasks are finished.

Findings

An assembly executive process Petri net and a mobile agent‐based complex product assembly framework are proposed.

Originality/value

Dynamic matching mechanism between assembly tasks and materials is achieved, and controlling and monitoring methods of complex product assembly executive process are enhanced.

Keywords

Citation

Sun, H., Chang, Z. and Mo, R. (2009), "Monitoring and controlling the complex product assembly executive process via mobile agents and RFID tags", Assembly Automation, Vol. 29 No. 3, pp. 263-271. https://doi.org/10.1108/01445150910972949

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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