Complete manufacturing control using a contract net: a simulation study

Abstract

Contract nets, which use a bidding mechanism to solve problems, were first proposed as artificial intelligence constructs for distributed problem solving. They have recently been applied to distributed manufacturing control. The contract net presented, called a complete contract net, is intended to implement both high- and low-level control. The complete contract net incorporates mechanisms for just-in-time manufacturing, dynamic lot sizing, and bids based on known costs rather than surrogate costs. Also presented is AdaBuy, a simulator for complete contract nets, and the results obtained using it.<>