Control architecture for flexible production systems

An architecture for control of flexible production systems is presented, with focus on flexibility, generality, and reusability. The architecture is based on a framework which partitions the control system into the following main components: resources, product routes, control functions, the operator's interaction and the information system. The clear separation of the resources employed from the products' paths through the plant is important in order to simplify the handling of changes to the system, for instance when introducing new equipment or new product types. Compared to an earlier preliminary result [Lennartson, B, et al., Oct. 2002] this paper introduces a new formalism based on process algebra. It means that high level user friendly but still formal specifications are achieved for resources as well as product routes. Both event and state based specifications are illustrated related to industrial applications.