The changing role of the integrated AS/RS system in achieving heuristic factory control

Author

Martensen, Barbara

Author_Institution

Motorola Inc., Phoenix, AZ, USA

fYear

1988

fDate

10-12 Oct. 1988

Firstpage

5

Lastpage

11

Abstract

The hardware and software integration architecture represented by the physical AS/RS system (i.e., robotic cranes, computer workstations, and sensor-driven conveyor systems) is discussed. Modular, hierarchical functionality is implemented using object-oriented software structures that are distributed between IBM mainframes, digital minicomputers, and crane resident microprocessors. Message-passing capabilities of these distributed software modules, necessary for efficient system integration, enable the system to direct automatically the processing of an order from customer receipt, through picking, inspection, and shipping, with minimal human intervention. In the second segment of this work, the role of automated material handling and AS/RS systems in achieving the optimal navigation of product through the virtual enterprise of the future is discussed.<>

Keywords

computerised materials handling; conveyors; factory automation; industrial robots; IBM mainframes; automated material handling; computer workstations; crane resident microprocessors; heuristic factory control; inspection; integrated AS/RS system; minicomputers; object-oriented software structures; picking; robotic cranes; sensor-driven conveyor systems; shipping; software integration; Computer architecture; Cranes; Hardware; Inspection; Microcomputers; Microprocessors; Physics computing; Robot sensing systems; Robotics and automation; Workstations;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Electronic Manufacturing Technology Symposium, 1988, Design-to-Manufacturing Transfer Cycle. Fifth IEEE/CHMT International

Conference_Location

Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/EMTS.1988.16138

Filename

16138