Performance analysis of machining systems with modular logic controllers

The machining systems considered are high volume transfer lines. The cycle time during normal operation is used as the performance metric. Normal operation is governed by the auto-cycle function of a logic controller. A modular logic controller is introduced and formalized for event-based functional properties analysis of transfer line. By adding time specifications, a timed modular logic controller is generated. The time-based cyclic behavior of high volume transfer lines is characterized using timed Petri nets. Two efficient algorithms to compute the cycle time and critical operations are developed. A method for improving the performance of a transfer line is introduced