Open CNC System Design Based on Multi-Agent Technology

Traditional interface closure CNC system makes functional expansion and architecture alteration impossible. It cannot meet the developing demand of modern technology toward openness, flexibility, and intelligence. In this paper, a Multi-agent technology is utilized for open CNC design, the CNC can be regarded as a double-layer structure, the upper layer concludes software modules running tasks without real time requirement which coordinated by Windows Operating System on general PC hardware, the bottom layer is composed of several embedded controllers implementing real time tasks with Real time Operating System (RTOS) and connecting to a high speed field bus. All the software modules and embedded controllers can be easily converted to Multi-Agent System (MAS) by endow them with the concepts and characteristics of intelligent agent. Taking the advantage of agent´s characteristics like self-determination, adaptability and cooperation ability, it becomes easier to develop an open, reconfigurable and intelligent CNC system. Finally, the 5-axis milling machine tool SK-5L16075 is utilized to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed system.