A hierarchical multiplanar artificial intelligence constraint network model for the design of flexible manufacturing systems

Production enterprises are investing into the area of Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) as a means to implement and control their production processes. If the FMS systems are improperly planned and installed, problems are encountered. A review of current literature in the area of production process design indicates a dearth of comprehensive generic planning systems.; This dissertation presents a comprehensive generic hierarchical multi-planar constraint network modelling approach to encapsulate production enterprise simultaneous product and process design. Constraint networks, operating in a classical three level hierarchical schema further decomposed into related n-planar segments, are utilized to represent and resolve relationships in the model. A hybrid method of constraint monitoring and user directed constraint satisfaction is employed for resolution of constraints and relationships.; The vertical hierarchical decomposition and horizontal functional model organization augmented by an n-planar apportionment, provide a comprehensive decoupled constraint network modelling environment, which can model a production enterprise organizational paradigm.