GETTING THE MES MODEL - METHODS FOR SYSTEM-ANALYSIS

The object model is an essential part of MES (Manufacturing Execution System). One very powerful approach to determining the model is based upon structured analysis. The knowledge and expertise about manufactur ing operations resides in the minds of the production personnel and de sign engineers. The method described in this paper captures that knowl edge in the form of a model for use in configuring the MES. The increm ental nature of the modeling approach facilitates continuous improveme nt of the plant processes. The elements of the resulting model are use d directly in the configuration of object oriented MES systems. By foc using on the essential elements of the manufacturing processes as rela ted to the MES there is a significant savings in implementation costs. Operating costs are optimized by visualizing relevant plant informati on using graphical MES objects and Windows(TM) based MMI technology. C opyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.