A unique architecture for an autonomous manufacturing unit

An architecture to build up the control software for an autonomous factory is presented. The basis of the architecture is the CIM hierarchy. This hierarchical concept was changed to an architecture of a production environment consisting of intelligent autonomous units on every level. The uniqueness of the approach for all levels lies in how communication takes place; how reactivity is enabled; how autonomy can be provided; how intelligence can be implanted; how a consistent world model can be maintained; and how the different units are easily exchangeable. Related work is discussed and the problems of existing approaches are shown. The architecture and its advantages during programming and operation are described. Implementations and results are outlined.<
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