Web-based Distributed Flexible

Manufacturing System (FMS) Monitoring

and Control
Student: Wei Liu
Instructor: Dr. Chang
Apr. 23, 2003

Agenda
Introduction
Research Objective
Approach
Conclusions

Introduction
A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is one
manufacturing machine or multiple machines which
are integrated by an automated material handling
system, whose operation is managed by a
computerized control system.
Next-generation FMS should be agile and flexible.
Advancements in Internet technology have made
possible new and innovative methods for the remote
connectivity and control of FMSs.

A Typical FMS System

Research Objective
Develop an Internet-based monitoring and control
system for flexible manufacturing systems (FMS)
that aims to address the issues such as open
architecture design and integration, socket
connection and three-level heterogeneous
client/server communication and control.

Open Architecture Criteria

Extendibility
Interchangeability
Scalability
Portability
Interoperability
Consistency

Technologies and Methodologies for the

Design of Open Architecture Systems
Client/Server Model and Heterogeneity Fusion
Object-Oriented Method and Component Model
Distributed Dynamic Integration and Function
Reorganization

Three-level Heterogeneous
Client/Server Framework

Component Model-based Interfaces

Monitoring & Control Function

Interface

Internet Connectivity &

Communication Interface

Connectivity Scheme
Connectivity Scheme for the FMS and the Web
Server Communication Control: Serial
communication (RS232C)
Connectivity Scheme for the Web Server and the
client: (TCP)-based socket layer connection

Initialization
No

User Login

Password
Correct?
Yes

Establish
Session
Connection

The Authentication
Process

Enable FMS
Control
Authentication

Input User
Name & ID

Authorized
User?
Yes

Enable FMS
Monitoring
& Control
Implementation

No

Configuration of the Prototype System

1. The Central CIM Computer
Application Modules: RS232 communication, FMS monitoring & control
Development Platform: Borland C++, ACL
System Platform: DOS, ACL shell
2. The Web Server
Application Modules: RS232 communication (server side module), Security
management (server side module), Security control (client & server sides
modules), Socket control (client & server sides modules)
Development Platform: Visual C++, Visual Basic, Cosmo Code Java Platform
System Platform: Windows NT, Internet Information Server

A Snapshot of the Prototype System

in Run

Conclusions
The open architecture design makes it easier for application
systems to be extended and scaled.
The client/server model with heterogeneity fusion is an effect
approach by which designers can focus on the picture of the
entire system frame and not just the individual components.
The three-level heterogeneous framework, with the function
control interface and the Internet connectivity and
communication interface, considerably improves the
implementation performance of the system on several major
aspects: security, speed, efficiency, and reliability.

Questions?