Application of holonic methodologies to problem diagnosis in a steel rod mill

Holonic architectures have been suggested as a possible building block for future manufacturing systems. The term holonic implies a unit in manufacturing that demonstrates the dual characteristics of autonomous behaviour (when required) and the ability to function cooperatively when the situation requires it. One of the key functions that is important to both of these properties is the need for the manufacturing unit to be able to (self) diagnose performance and functional failures in a systematic manner. This paper proposes a generic methodology for self-diagnosis within a holonic manufacturing system, in which faults and problems are analysed as a standard function of the system.