In: Computers and Industrial Engineering, Vol. 28, No. 2, pages 279-290. 1995.
Abstract: This paper presents a new methodology for flexible process sequencing using a Petri net based approach. In the proposed approach Petri nets are used as a unified framework for representing both operation planning knowledge and process sequence. In specific, the approach taken comprises: (1) modeling operation selection and sequencing knowledge using a Petri net based approach, (2) representing the flexible sequence of operations using Petri net formalism, and (3) linearizing a flexible process sequence using T-INVARIANT analysis. An illustrative example of HoleMakingProcess has been used to demonstrate the Petri net modeling, the operation selection and sequencing procedure (called state propagation procedure), and the linearization procedure.
Keywords: Petri nets, flexible process sequencing, manufacturing systems.