A SYSTEMIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE RECOVERY OF FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

In this paper, the real-time failure-recovery of flexible production s ystems is considered. Initially, the problem is structured and formula ted within a systemic framework, and then, a generic local-in-time, sc hedule-repair approach is proposed. The coloured timed Petri net forma lism is used to represent, in a modular and compact way, the productio n system's discrete-event dynamics. In connection with this, an intell igent opportunistic recovery technique has been developed for obtainin g, in real time, the recovery trajectory which conforms best to a chos en production strategy. The application of the approach is demonstrate d by considering recovery cases in a batch-processing chemicals plant.