The PABADIS´PROMISE architecture - a new approach for flexible manufacturing systems

PABADIS´PROMISE (PABADIS based Product Oriented Manufacturing Systems for Re-Configurable Enterprises) is a new European research project aiming at the improvement of the flexibility of manufacturing systems by extending the applicability of distributed intelligence at all levels of control. This paper introduces the basis ideas of the concept and describes details of the technological and conceptual approach. After a short comparison of the state-of-the-art and former research projects in the field of flexible manufacturing systems the general architecture and functionality of a PABADIS´PROMISE would be described. The targeted enhancements would be discussed in comparison with existing systems with a special focus on the usage of mobile agent systems and RFID-technologies on the field control level. Finally, the expected benefits resulting from the implementation of a PABADIS´PROMISE system would be summarized