An implementation of the matrix-based supervisory controller of flexible manufacturing systems

Deals with an implementation of a new matrix-based supervisory controller of flexible manufacturing system (FMS). A design method is applied to the laboratory setup of a finite-buffer multiple reentrant flowline FMS which contains one 5-degree of freedom (DOF) robot, few transporters, pistons, and other elements (sensors, programmable logic controller, and personal computers). Control of the FMS is based on a matrix model approach which significantly reduces a computational effort and simplifies conversion of dispatching rules to the software program. The results obtained during experiments have confirmed effectiveness of the matrix-based FMS controller.