Innovative Production Machines and Systems Conference

Conclusions

• The design, functioning and performance of a novel Flexible Tool Management Strategy (FTMS) paradigm integrated in a Multi-Agent Tool Management System (MATMS) for automatic tool procurement was presented

• The MATMS operates in the framework of a negotiation based multiple-supplier network where a turbine blade producer requires dressing jobs on worn-out CBN grinding wheels for nickel alloy turbine blade manufacturing from different tool manufacturers

• The FTMS is designed as a domain specific problem solving function of the MATMS intelligent agent whose task is the optimum tool inventory sizing and control of CBN grinding wheels.

• This agent performs its activities on the basis of running production plans and dressing cycle time predictions, utilising the FTMS paradigm