Broadcast distributed control for assembly modules

Assembly stations, also known as cells, is a generalized term denoting the place where one of the operations is carried out in the sequence needed to assemble a product. As each station m general is dedicated to a specific operation on a specific product, it is uncommon to find two instances of the same station. Stations are custom designed and expensive. The author has developed standard modular assembly station components that you just have to "plug together to operate". The author presents in this paper an original solution using a low cost fieldbus. This solution is at present operational on real production and test cells.