The University of Texas System

Diego A Tacconi

Frank L Lewis

Ayla Gurel

Octavian C Pastravanu

The invention comprises in various embodiments controllers and apparatus for testing flexible manufacturing systems and methods of operating same. The controller includes a computer, a program, output lines from the computer, and devices connected to the output lines. The program uses matrix logic equations to determine when to start and stop jobs. The devices start and stop individual resources in response to logic signals from the computer. In one embodiment, the controller obtains sensor feedback on the distribution of work pieces and available resources in the manufacturing system. The invention also includes an apparatus and methods for testing a flexible manufacturing system. In response to the input of initial data, the apparatus for testing a flexible manufacturing system solves matrix equations and determines the activity and/or production of the manufacturing system. The apparatus for testing a flexible manufacturing system sends logical signals to a recording device which, in one embodiment, produce a cumulative display of the time dependent production or activity of the system.

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Arlington, TX, United States of America

Diego A Tacconi