A knowledge based and a hybrid system to evaluate flexible manufacturing systems

Computer aided simulation can assist both in the design and operation of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). A proper simulation model of a given FMS could be the best tool to validate it and to evaluate its performance. System control can be solved by separating the control from the FMS with a communication interface. In this case it is possible to use the simulated system for investigations instead of the real system. Such simulation systems can be built up using expert system shells. In this paper an FMS simulation system (SSQA) will be introduced with the hybrid application of expert systems and a traditional simulation software. The system has some evaluation, scheduling and quality control power as well, according to the implemented advisory systems which communicate with the simulation package. As an alternative of the hybrid system a pure knowledge based system is discussed. The comparison of the two systems using the same CIM pilot plant is also given