Abstract: In order to solve the task control problems existing in the knowledgeable manufacturing cell (KMC) with multi-agent and multi-workpiece, a new matrix-automaton is proposed to model the KMC. The automaton is of structured property and can be used to analyze the dynamic performance of KMC. The stochastic dynamic programming is used to derive the optimal task control strategy of the automaton, and a simulation method and program are proposed to simulate the running of the KMC. Also the simulation results indicate that the mathematic model and the control strategy are feasible and effective.

Key words: Control strategy, Matrix-automaton, Knowledgeable manufacturing cell, Simulation, Stochastic dynamic programming