Hybrid model of multi-agent and DEDS for steelmaking-continuous casting-hot rolling manufacturing process simulation

The planning and scheduling problems of steelmaking - continuous casting - hot rolling (SCH) manufacturing process are hard to solve with traditional optimization approaches. As for the limitation of human ability, manual plans and schedules can not guarantee quality, robustness and material balance between processes. With the rapid development of computer simulation theories and virtual reality technologies, computer simulation has been becoming an effective method for solving complex problems and evaluating complex systems. Computer simulation system of SCH manufacturing process can be used for evaluating quality and robustness of plans and schedules in order to find the weakness and bottleneck in the manufacturing process before they are released. In this paper, a hybrid simulation model of multi-agent and discrete event dynamic system (DEDS) for SCH manufacturing process is proposed. The general simulation procedure and computer simulation system framework based on the hybrid model are presented. The structure, attributes, functions, interfaces, communication protocols and negotiation mechanism of different types of agent are defined. Based on the hybrid simulation model, a computer simulation system for SCH manufacturing process is developed in C++ language. The results of simulation experiments using practical production data of a Chinese steel plant show that the simulation model and the simulation system are valid and efficient.