OBJECT-ORIENTED GRAPHICAL MODELING OF FMSS

Presented in the article is a method for constructing a graphical mode l of an FMS by using a new modeling tool called JR-net (Job Resource r elation-net). JR-net is an object-oriented graphical tool for modeling automated manufacturing systems (AMSs), such as FMSs, FASs, and AS/RS s. As with the object-oriented modeling paradigm of Rumbaugh et al. (1 991), the JR-net modeling framework supports the three stages of model s: static layout model (object model); job flow model (functional mode l); and supervisory control model (dynamic model). In this article, th e existing JR-net structure (Park 1992, Han et al., 1995) is extended further to make it a graphical tool for FMS modeling. Using the extend ed JR-net, a step-by-step procedure for constructing a graphical model of FMSs is presented. Also addressed are issues of classifying FMSs i n terms of their generic functions and of utilizing the JR-net model o f FMSs.