This dissertation aims to design and implement a monitoring and control system for a small-scale production system, guided by the imperatives of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Industry 4.0.
One of the main objectives of Industry 4.0 is the connectivity of devices and systems using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, and CPS that acts as the backbone of an infrastructure based on distributed and decentralized structures. CPS requires the use of Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI) techniques, such as agents and Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). The most fundamental concept of agents is to view them as entities that emulate human-like attributes, such as decision-making, intention, and perception. Agents have actions, behaviors, beliefs, intentions, and desires just like humans. CPS requires the use of MAS, allowing the incorporation of intelligence into the CPS through autonomous, proactive, and cooperative actions.
The case study focuses on a small-scale production system, consisting of an IRB 1400 ABB robot, two punching machines, and two indexed lines supplied by FischertechnikTM which runs in a Modicon M340 PLC.
The dissertation aims to develop an MAS in JADE to control the production system, with each device considered as an agent. The agents communicate with each other and report their current status, actions, and behaviors through messages formatted according to the FIPA-ACL specification. A classic approach will be adopted: requirements analysis, MAS modeling, implementation, and testing.
