This paper addresses the problem of sharing tool in a FMS. The system to be modelled is a typical cell, where tools after presetting are loaded in a tool-disk and carried to and from machine tools by mean of an automated guided vehicle (AGV). The modelling and analysis of the system in terms of stochastic Petri nets permits to accurately quantify the effect of tool sharing policy on machine utilization and tool delivery time. We precise also the limitations of this tool management approach by varying the relevant parameters that affect these performance measures
Date of Conference: 17-20 Oct 1993