An Agent-Based Approach for Dynamic Manufacturing Scheduling

Manufacturing scheduling is a difficult problem, particularly when it takes place in an open, dynamic environment. Agent-based technology has recently been used in attempts to resolve this problem. A bidding mechanism based on Contract Net protocol is often proposed as a key solution component. Our approach is to combine a bidding mechanism based on Contract Net protocol with a mediation mechanism based on Mediator architecture, for dynamic manufacturing scheduling and rescheduling. A machine-centered scheduling mechanism and related concepts and mechanisms are also described.