Increasing flexibility of modular automated material flow systems: A meta model architecture

The demand for flexibility and robustness in case of extending, reducing or modifying parts of an automated material flow system (aMFS) is increasing. Therefore the control software architecture of present aMFS has to be dynamically adaptable. Several approaches propose an encapsulation and clustering of related functions to accomplish the changed requirements. Hence, a modular architecture, which enables changes in the plant design with minimized engineering and commissioning effort is desired. This contribution presents a meta model for an aMFS module including standardized interfaces that enables code generation for central and decentral control structures of aMFS consisting of connected modules.