A Novel Multi-Agent-Based Collaborative Virtual Manufacturing Environment Integrated with Edge Computing Technique

Xiaohui Zhang, Shufeng Tang, Xinhua Liu, Reza Malekian and Zhixiong Li
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Xiaohui Zhang: School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Shufeng Tang: School of Mechanical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot 010051, China
Xinhua Liu: School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Reza Malekian: Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Zhixiong Li: School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 14, 1-19

Abstract: This paper proposes a multi-agent-based collaborative virtual manufacturing environment (VME) to save energy consumption and improve efficiency in the manufacturing process. In order to achieve the high autonomy of the manufacturing system, a multi-agent system (MAS) is designed to build a collaborative VME. In this new VME environment, edge computing is embedded to strengthen the cyber resource utilization and system economy. Moreover, an efficient communication channel between networks is proposed. The subsequent cooperation and collaboration protocols among agents are designed to ensure flexible and process-oriented operations. Furthermore, the fuzzy resolution algorithm is employed to resolve the competition conflicts among function-similar MASs in the distributed manufacturing scenario. Lastly, a simulation and case study are performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed VME in Internet of Things (IoT)-based manufacturing. The analysis results have demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed VME system.

Keywords: energy saving and efficiency; virtual manufacturing environment; edge computing; multi-agent system; internet of things (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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