The modelling of manufacturing systems by means of state machines and agents

The changes taking place in industry, and in particular the implementation of the Industry 4.0 philosophy has significantly influenced the way of modelling of manufacturing processes. Because of the introduction of cyber-physical systems, the manufacturing systems are often modelled using multi-agent or holonic approach. Apart from the used methodology, the other important thing is the internal mechanism that determines how the model works. This paper attempts to describe these mechanisms using state machines and multi-agent approach. In this manner, using the signals responsible for switching the machine to a particular state, it becomes possible to show the processes that happen inside the agent as well as the communication between agents. For this purpose, a certain formalism changes are required in order to illustrate the communication between machine and its environment. As a result, not only a structural description of the system is presented, but also the way of its operation.