A Structural Prototype for Planning and Controlling a Manufacturing System

Abstract

Structuring the information and knowledge needed to implement a factory, as well as doing its control and management by computer systems, is the purpose of the meta-model and solutions here presented. This meta-model includes: an object-oriented model to structure the needed information and knowledge; a model for manufacturing systems; a prototype that integrates the two previously referred models with real time control, in order to plan and to realize the management of a factory. A first step of this work has been accomplished at the Ephestia Kuehniella Bio-factory, controlled by computer in the Laboratory of the Biology Department at the University of Azores. In this paper we present a meta-model for a factory planning, controlling and managing, with updated conceptual and technological options, preparing the way for a new industrial implementation of the above mentioned Biofactory.