Delay Modelling and Measurement of Multi-Agent Systems with Digital Twins in a Gear Assembly Use Case

In the context of increasing automation and digitization of production processes, efficient communication and coordination among agents in Multi-Agent-Systems (MAS) is crucial for achieving optimal performance and productivity. This study analyzes a MAS's communication and coordination processes utilized in a gearbox assembly scenario. The system is decomposed based on the assembly process, focusing on delay times. Messages are classified based on sender and receiver agents, communication protocols, message types, and query content. Local and network delays of each communication message are measured and compared to modeled delays. The results indicate that modeling delay times before implementation can lead to a more efficient approach to elaborating on complex systems' hard and soft real-time capabilities. The delay times estimated through the analysis can be employed in forthcoming models, enabling the modeling of delay times before system implementation. Additionally, the generalizability of the findings allows for their application to repetitive modules within production systems.