Knowledge based system structure for the modelling of flexible manufacturing systems

The design and implementation of flexible manufacturing systems calls for a modelling system with a flexible structure. A knowledge based modelling system structure is described which is characterized by the separate design and flexible integration of the inference engine, the working memory, the decision centre, the knowledge base and the data base. The resulting system then enables access and modification of any of these elements without affecting the others. Other features of the modelling system include its knowledge driven requirement to enable evaluation of alternative systems with different performance criteria, the capability of modelling over multiple levels of detail, and the transparency of its solution procedure.