Design of distributed manufacturing systems using UML and Petri nets

This paper describes the design of a supervisory control system for a distributed manufacturing process, which forms part of a wider manufacturing system. The focus of the paper is on the design of a verifiable discrete event controller using a UML based method. The approach adopted involves (i) using Petri net models instead of conventional Statecharts to provide analytic Dynamic Models; and (ii) using compositional Petri net techniques to synthesise the Interconnection Model. The model of the complete controller can be then analysed and verified using Petri net theory. The approach is demonstrated by application to a prototype packaging machine. Copyright (C) 2000 IFAC.