Optimization of multi-agent auctioning processes in flexible production networks

Abstract

Shorter product lifecycles and increasing product complexity are important trends that drive the need for increased flexibility of production companies. One way to cope with this problem is to engage in flexible production networks where companies can find missing production capabilities and offer their own ones. To enable this connection across company borders and software platforms, an agent-based communication approach is proposed that is based on the OPC UA standard. This paper also develops an optimization concept that can increase a company’s benefits, i.e. profits, by applying a learning algorithm as well as an approach to calculate optimal margins, which is encapsulated in an optimization agent.