Distributed multi sensor agent for composite curing control

Composite curing, a rapidly developing industry process, generates heavy costs when not properly controlled. Curing autoclaves require tight control over temperature that must be uniform throughout the curing vessel. This paper discusses how agent-based software can improve the robustness and reliability of the curing process by pushing control logic down to the lowest level of the control hierarchy into the process controller (i.e. PLC). These improvements are achieved by an architecture that defines a partition of the agent-based and control system components. The paper also discusses the use of simulation and how the benefits of process survivability, diagnostics and dynamic reconfiguration can be demonstrated through the use of autoclave and thermocouple intelligent agents.