Specification of Production Systems using PPN and Sequential Operation Charts

In this paper specification of discrete event systems, more specifically flexible production systems, is performed using two high level specification languages. The first language, called process algebra Petri net (PPN), is a mathematically well defined language that combines Petri nets and process algebra in order to achieve compact and concise specifications of complex systems. The second language, sequential operation charts (SOC), is a language specifically developed to meet expectations from industry concerning both programming style and information handling. SOC is based on the PPN language, but presents constructs that enable the language to be used not only for specifying process descriptions but also product and preparation related information. This makes it possible to use the SOC language all the way from the concept phase until final production. This paper has three aims. The first is to show the advantages of the PPN language compared to ordinary Petri nets. The second aim is to show how the SOC language is defined with respect to the PPN, language and the third aim finally is to show how SOCs can be used for the specification of a real industry case.