Distributed automation control using broadcasting networks

Assembly stations, also known as cells, is a generalised term denoting the place where one of the operations is carried out in the sequence needed to assemble a product. As each station is in general dedicated to a specific operation for a specific product, it is uncommon to find two instances of the same station. Stations are custom designed and expensive. The authors have developed standard modular assembly station components that one just has to “plug together to operate”. The authors present in this paper an original solution using the LAN system from LonWorks. This solution is at present operational on real production and test cells