An answer to FMS complexity: Object-oriented approach

In flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), the size of the control system software increases, and the relations of interdependence between the different subsystems multiply. The design of a FMS, by means of a conventional method becomes unmanageably complex. The object oriented design (OOD) methodology proposes to reduce the global complexity by modeling the real world through objects. OOD allows the development of reusable software components with open modular structures. The method proves efficient in industrial manufacturing requirements. It provides a satisfactory solution to the integration of alien components. The OOD methodology, object oriented programming and their respective features are introduced. Two experimental implementations are presented