Table Of ContentMulti-Agent Systems for Concurrent
Intelligent Design and
Manufacturing
Multi-Agent Systems for
Concurrent Intelligent
Design and Manufacturing
Weiming Shen, Douglas H. Norrie
and Jean-Paul A. Barthes
London and New York
First published 2001
by Taylor & Francis
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Taylor & Francis Inc,
52 VanderbiltAvenue, New York, NY 10017
Taylor & Francis is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group,
an informa business
© 2001 Weiming Shen, Douglas H. Norrie and Jean-Paul Barthes
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
Notice:
Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are
used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Publisher's Note
This book has been prepared from camera-ready copy provided by the
authors.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Shen, Weiming
Multi-agent systems for concurrent intelligent design and manufacturing /
Weiming Shen, Douglas H. Norrie, and Jean-Paul Barthes.
p.cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Design, Industrial -Computer-aided design 2. Intelligent agents
(Computer software) 3. Concurrent engineering. I. Norrie D.H. II. Barthes,
Jean-Paul, III. Title.
TSl 71.4.S543 2000
658.5 '752 '028563-dc21
00-033764
ISBN 13: 978-0-7484-0882-5 (hbk)
Table of Contents
Part I: Introduction.............................................................................1
Chapter 1 General introduction..............................................................................3
1.1 Motivation......................................................................................................3
1.2 Book Organization..........................................................................................3
1.3 How to Use This Book...................................................................................4
Chapter 2 Concurrent Engineering Design and Manufacturing.........................7
2.1 Introduction....................................................................................................7
2.2 Engineering Design .....................................................................................10
2.2.1 Design and Design Process................................................................10
2.2.2 Basic Design vs. Detailed Design ......................................................10
2.2.3 Conceptual Design.............................................................................11
2.2.4 Creative and Innovative Design.........................................................11
2.2.5 Functional Design ..............................................................................12
2.2.6 Configuration Design, Catalog Design ..............................................12
2.2.7 Parametric Design..............................................................................13
2.2.8 Feature-Based Design........................................................................13
2.2.9 Redesign and Routine Design ............................................................14
2.2.10 Compiled Design .............................................................................14
2.2.11 Intelligent Design.............................................................................14
2.2.12 Knowledge Intensive Design ...........................................................16
2.2.13 Concurrent Design ...........................................................................17
2.3 Advanced Manufacturing Systems .............................................................17
2.3.1 Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems (CIMS) ....................17
2.3.2 Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) ..........................................19
2.3.3 Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS) .......................................20
2.3.4 Holonic Manufacturing Systems (HMS) .........................................23
2.4 Next Generation of Concurrent Design and Manufacturing Systems ........24
Chapter 3 Distributed Artificial Intelligence and Agents...................................31
3.1 Classic AI and DAI ....................................................................................31
3.2 Research Themes in DAI...........................................................................32
3.3 Models of DAI Systems .............................................................................33
3.3.1 Blackboard Architecture ....................................................................34
3.3.2 Contract Net.......................................................................................35
3.3.3 Actors ................................................................................................35
3.3.4 Agents................................................................................................37
3.4 Objects vs. Agents ......................................................................................38
3.4.1 AI and Objects ..................................................................................39
vi Table of Contents
3.4.2 Objects and CORBA..........................................................................40
3.4.3 Distributed Objects ............................................................................41
3.4.4 Passive Objects and Active Objects...................................................41
3.4.5 From Objects to Agents .....................................................................41
3.5 Different Types of Agents ..........................................................................42
3.5.1 Software Agents.................................................................................42
3.5.2 Mobile Agents ...................................................................................43
3.5.3 Reactive Agents .................................................................................44
3.5.4 Cognitive Agents ...............................................................................45
3.5.5 Hybrid Agents....................................................................................46
3.5.6 Interface Agents.................................................................................46
3.5.7 Middle Agents ...................................................................................47
3.6 Agents in Concurrent Design and Manufacturing......................................47
Part II Important Issues in System Implementation ...................53
Chapter 4 Knowledge Representation in Agent-Based Concurrent Design
and Manufacturing Systems..................................................................55
4.1 Introduction...................................................................................................55
4.2 What Needs to be Represented.....................................................................56
4.2.1 Model of the Product to be Designed and Manufactured....................57
4.2.2 Model of the Process (or the State of Achievement of the Tasks)....59
4.2.3 Domain Knowledge............................................................................61
4.2.4 Design Rationale.................................................................................62
4.2.5 Knowledge about Manufacturability...................................................62
4.2.6 Model of the Environment..................................................................63
4.2.7 Self-Knowledge..................................................................................64
4.2.8 Meaning of Terms...............................................................................65
4.2.9 Exchanged Knowledge.......................................................................65
4.2.10 Model of the User.............................................................................66
4.3 How to Represent Knowledge in Agent-Based Systems..............................66
4.3.1 Global Approaches..................................................................................68
4.3.2 Product and Process Modeling............................................................68
4.3.3 Agent Skills........................................................................................69
4.3.4 Environment.......................................................................................69
4.3.5 Self-Representation.............................................................................70
4.3.6 Negotiation.........................................................................................70
4.3.7 Communication...................................................................................71
4.3.8 Local World Interaction......................................................................71
4.3.9 Knowledge History and Learning.......................................................71
4.4 Additional References.................................................................................71
Table of Contents vii
Chapter 5 Learning in Agent-Based Concurrent Design and
Manufacturing Systems.........................................................................77
5.1 Introduction..................................................................................................77
5.2 Why to Learn................................................................................................78
5.3 Single-Agent Learning or Multi-Agent Learning.........................................79
5.4 When to Learn...............................................................................................80
5.5 Where to Learn.............................................................................................81
5.6 What is to be Learned...................................................................................81
5.7 How to Learn................................................................................................82
5.7.1 Organizational Learning Theory.........................................................82
5.7.2 Classification of Multi-Agent Learning..............................................84
5.8 Examples.......................................................................................................86
5.8.1 Learning by Single Function Agents (SiFAs) During Spring Design 86
5.8.2 Learning in the MetaMorph Multi-Agent Manufacturing System....89
5.8.2.1 Learning from History................................................................89
5.8.2.2 Learning from the Future through Forecasting.........................90
5.9 Research Literature and Further References...............................................92
5.9.1 Research Literature.............................................................................92
5.9.2 Further References..............................................................................96
Chapter 6 Agent Architectures.............................................................................101
6.1 Introduction.................................................................................................101
6.2 Desirable Characteristics of an Agent.........................................................101
6.3 Basic Modules (Components) for Agents...................................................102
6.3.1 Communication Interface.................................................................103
6.3.2 Perception..........................................................................................103
6.3.3 Execution...........................................................................................104
6.3.4 Social Knowledge..............................................................................104
6.3.5 Self Knowledge (Self Representation)..............................................104
6.3.6 Domain Knowledge (Project Representation)...................................104
6.3.7 Knowledge Management...................................................................105
6.3.8 Learning.............................................................................................105
6.3.9 Reasoning (Decision Making)...........................................................106
6.3.10 Problem Solving Models.................................................................106
6.3.11 Coordination....................................................................................106
6.3.12 Planning and Scheduling..................................................................107
6.3.13 Control.............................................................................................107
6.3.14 Conflict Management......................................................................107
6.3.15 Application Interfaces......................................................................107
6.4 Agent Architectures.....................................................................................108
6.4.1 Classification by Behavior.................................................................108
6.4.1.1 Deliberative Architecture.........................................................108
viii Table of Contents
6.4.1.2 Reactive Architecture................................................................109
6.4.1.3 Collaborative Architecture.......................................................110
6.4.1.4 Hybrid Architecture..................................................................112
6.4.2 Classification by Internal Organization.............................................112
6.4.2.1 Modular Architecture................................................................113
6.4.2.2 Subsumption Architecture........................................................114
6.4.2.3 Blackboard Architecture...........................................................114
6.4.2.4 Production System Agent Architecture...................................115
6.4.2.5 Layered Architecture.................................................................116
6.5 Comparison of Agent Architectures............................................................118
6.6 Research Literature and Further References...............................................119
6.6.1 Research Literature............................................................................119
6.6.2 Further References.............................................................................120
Chapter 7 System Architectures...........................................................................125
7.1 Introduction 125
7.2 Organization and System Architectures 125
7.3 Control relationships vs. collaboration relationships 126
7.3.1 Control in Blackboard Systems 126
7.3.2 Local Control vs. Global Control 127
7.3.3 Collaboration Relationships vs. Control Relationships 128
7.4 Agent System Architectures 128
7.4.1 Hierarchical Architectures 129
7.4.2 Federated Architectures 131
7.4.2.1 The Facilitator Approach 131
7.4.2.2 The Broker Approach 132
7.4.2.3 The Matchmaker Approach 133
7.4.2.4 The Mediator Approach 134
7.4.2.5 Other Federated Architectures 135
7.4.3 Autonomous Agent System Architectures 136
7.5 Comparison of Different Approaches 137
7.6 Research Literature and Additional Readings 138
7.6.1 Research Literature 138
7.6.2 Further References 141
Chapter 8 Communication, Coordination and Cooperation.............................147
8.1 Introduction.................................................................................................147
8.2 Communication...........................................................................................147
8.2.1 Levels of Communication.................................................................147
8.2.1.1 No Communication or Primitive Communication....................147
8.2.1.2 Message Passing and Plan Passing...........................................148
8.2.1.3 Information Exchanges through a Shared Data Repository.....148
8.2.1.4 High-Level Communication.....................................................149
8.2.2 Modes of Communication.................................................................149
Table of Contents ix
8.2.2.1 Direct and Indirect Communication........................................150
8.2.2.2 Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication...................150
8.2.2.3 Single or Multiple Recipient Agents........................................150
8.2.2.4 Influence of System Architecture.............................................151
8.2.2.5 Human Participation..................................................................151
8.2.3 Protocols and Languages Supporting Communication Processes....152
8.2.4 Speech Act Theory............................................................................153
8.2.5 Conversations....................................................................................154
8.2.5.1 Conversation Policies................................................................154
8.2.5.2 Representation of Conversations..............................................155
8.2.6 Communication and Organizational Knowledge..............................158
8.3 Coordination................................................................................................158
8.3.1 Coordination Problems in Concurrent Design and Manufacturing ...159
8.3.2 Necessity of Coordination in Agent-Based Systems..........................159
8.3.3 Fundamental Coordination Mechanisms for Agent-Based Systems .161
8.3.4 Techniques Supporting Multi-Agent Coordination...........................162
8.3.4.1 Organizational Structuring........................................................162
8.3.4.2 Subcontracting..........................................................................164
8.3.4.3 Multi-Agent Planning................................................................165
8.4 Cooperation.................................................................................................167
8.4.1 Degrees of Cooperation.....................................................................168
8.4.2 Cooperation Primitives......................................................................169
8.4.3 Cooperation Methods.........................................................................170
8.4.3.1 Grouping and Multiplication.....................................................170
8.4.3.2 Communication.........................................................................171
8.4.3.3 Specialization............................................................................171
8.4.3.4 Coordination..............................................................................171
8.4.3.5 Collaboration by Sharing Tasks and Resources........................172
8.4.3.6 Conflict Resolution through Arbitration and Negotiation........172
8.4.4 Cooperation in Agent-Based Design and Manufacturing Systems.... 172
8.4.4.1 Concurrent Engineering Design...............................................172
8.4.4.2 Shop Floor AGV Control..........................................................173
8.5 Coordination, Cooperation and Communication.........................................173
8.6 Research Literature and Further References...............................................174
Chapter 9 Collaboration, Task Decomposition and Allocation.........................179
9.1 Introduction.................................................................................................179
9.2 Task Decomposition and Allocation............................................................179
9.2.1 Definition...........................................................................................179
9.2.2 Relationship between Task Decomposition and Allocation...............180
9.2.3 Criteria for Task Decomposition........................................................180
9.2.4 Different Techniques for Task Allocation........................................180
9.3 Coordinated Task Allocation by Mediation.................................................182
9.4 Distributed Task Allocation.........................................................................184
