Use of timed petri net and activity cycle diagram methodologies for modelling tandem AGVs in FMSs and their performance evaluation

Abstract

This paper attempts to model the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) system of a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) by using timed petri net and Activity Cycle Diagrams (ACDs) as basic tools. A timed petri net used for planning of AGV system in FMSs ensures conflict-free and deadlock free operations of the system. To understand the system as it is observed in practice for delineating the behaviour of entities, the ACDhas been used. Mean utilization and the utilization index have been taken as performance measures to evaluate the system and they have been compared with previous work.