MODELING OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES USING A PETRI-NET REPRESENTATION

This paper presents an approach to manufacturing process modeling. The aim is to develop a model representation that can be integrated into a product model, The manufacturing process is modeled by generic featu res. Implementation in real-world CAD/CAM systems, application in coll aborative and concurrent engineering environments and real-world facto ry data are taken into consideration. Manufacturing process features a re represented by Petri nets that have built-in knowledge for their ev aluation, This evaluation procedure results in a status of the Petri n et that refers to a single manufacturing process. Re-evaluation of the net on the basis of new input delta gives the possibility of modifica tion of that process, Thus, the demands of production scheduling and c hanged shop-floor conditions can be taken into account. As a partial m odel of the product model, the manufacturing process model is in close relation to geometric and technical models of the objects to be manuf actured Engineering activities related to mechanical parts and machini ng are considered. However the modeling approach is also applicable to other manufacturing processes. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.