| The purpose of this research is to present a contract-net based multi-agent system for a manufacturing system that is globally distributed rather than geographical limited. We propose that this agent-based system allow manufacturers and geographically remote partners to design products over the Web at a much lower cost. The software system allows specialists at remote locations to monitor resources and assemble objects in a remote workcell as well.; The entire concept was simulated using: (1) a client application system, and (2) a remote assembling workcell system. The client application system consists of Internet-based design, monitoring and communication modules and allows users to control and operate a manufacturing process at an assembling workcell. The user interface will be accomplished through a design application that allows users to create an object using a rod, a bar, a circle, and a square. After the object is finished, all object details are sent to the remote assembling workcell to begin the assembly process. At the remote assembling workcell, the simulation software system consisting of multiple Puma robots is implemented. |
