An agent-based method for automating disturbance handling for FMS

Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) are characterized by their highly dynamic environment, manifested in the frequent occurrence of disturbances that necessitate the continuous update of the production schedule. In practice, these disturbances are handled manually which results in low productivity and fails to utilize the high potential of automation possessed by the flexible resources on the shop floor of FMS. In this paper, we introduce an agent-based method for automating disturbance handling for FMS. The proposed method is designed to handle the different types of disturbances as machine breakdown and rush orders. A case study of a real FMS in Egypt is described and used to test the feasibility of the proposed method. Test results show a very good potential of the proposed method in automating disturbance handling while optimizing two measures, namely makespan and machine utilization and maintaining good reactivity.