Modelling, simulation, and control of FMS using Petri nets

Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) are typical examples of asynchronous concurrent systems. Petri nets have evolved into a powerful tool for analysing asynchronous concurrent systems. This paper demonstrates a new approach that integrates the modelling, simulation and control of FMS by using Petri nets. It is an implementation of requirements driven scheduling (ReDS). By using least commitment planning and some heuristics, it allocates the resources dynamically and intelligently in real-time. It works in time- and event-driven modes of operation and uses short term feedback to improve the current schedule. Finally, a potential industrial application is outlined