Multiagent-based approach for the automation and quality assurance of the small series production

The dynamic conditions of global markets force manufacturers to invest in flexible production strategies to cope with demanding clients and still survive in a competitive economic scenario. In this sense, small series production appears as a trend for many manufacturing niches and brings many challenges regarding manufacturing and quality assurance aspects. Investing in production flexibility implies increasing production control complexity and planning. This flexibility usually does not correlate with higher degrees of manufacturing automation or with quality assurance strategies. The concept of Cognitive Metrology strives for handling the challenging automation and quality inspection requirements of small series production with a new approach based on self-optimizing systems. This paper introduces the concepts of self-optimization and Cognitive Metrology and focuses especially on a multiagent-based approach for supporting flexible automation and quality assurance in small series production, as a basis for the development of the Cognitive Metrology technology. Initial results of the application of this approach into industrial prototypes are introduced and discussed as well as the migration of this system to different industrial scenarios.