Abstract:
This thesis describes the results of research
into
provision of
Production Activity
Control (PAC) in Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems for
manufacture
of
discrete
parts.
The
role and environment of
PAC
systems
is described,
against
the background
of
development
of the discrete
parts manufacturing
industry.
Strategies
and architectures
for building PAC
systems are reviewed,
in terms of
the goals of
PAC
systems, and the categorisation of existing
design
approaches.
A
novel
design for
a
PAC
system
is
presented.
A
model of manufacturing
is
described
upon which the system
design is based,
and which
defines the
applicability of the proposed system.
The heterarchical, data-driven
system
architecture
is
explained, and the way
in
which the system's
design
supports the
various aspect of
PAC functionality is described. A
simple example
is
presented
to illustrate the workings of the system as
it
accepts production orders and
controls production.
An
experimental
implementation
of the system
is described,
and the results
discussed. Recommendations for future implementations
are'made
in further
discussion, stemming
from the experiences of this experimentation, and
from
consideration of wider
issues in the development
of manufacturing technology.
The thesis concludes with a
brief
statement of achiever nts, an'' some
recommendations for directions
of
further
research.
