MASCADA develops on-line manufacturing control solutions whose application will be tested on flexible flow-shop type operations with medium to high volume production. By online manufacturing control we mean specifically:
%1. The ability to create short term plans for operations and / or part movements, which are as detailed as it is useful,
2. Automated implementation / execution of these plans by distributed, local, intelligent, semi-autonomous controllers.
The aim of MASCADA is to bridge the existing gap in the manufacturing control chain between short-term planning and manufacturing control systems. The focus is particularly on manufacturing control solutions capable of handling (unpredictable) operational disturbances and changes, and especially develop solutions which achieve a minimum reduction in production throughput under these circumstances.
MASCADA employs simulation techniques so that the solutions can be applied during the planning, design and conception phases of a new manufacturing system and / or major upgrades of an existing manufacturing system. The manufacturing control system developments, which occur during these early phases, are fully reusable in the subsequent implementation on the shop floor.
The MASCADA solutions are validated on industrial-size problems from three different domains: automotive, steel and electronic assembly.