A Framework for Intelligent STEP-NC Controller Based on Multi-agent

Hongbo Lan, Chengrui Zhang, Riliang Liu School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, China School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China Abstract This paper presents a conceptual framework of STEP-NP controller to implement intelligent control for CNC machine tool. This framework is developed based on the concept of multi-agent systems, and derived from the detail analysis of process flow and the specific requirements for intelligent STEP-NC controller. The architecture of intelligent STEP-NC controller is composed of four layers: application service layer, data and knowledge layer, operating system layer, and target hardware layer. The application layer consists of fourteen functional agents which involves the interpreter agent, process planning agent, NCK/PLC agent, decision-making Agent, etc. These agents can cooperate closely to carry out various functions of intelligent STEP-NC controller in a well manner. As a result, the framework proposed provides a paradigm for future implementation of intelligent STEP-NC controller.