Abstract: The invention relates to a process for developing an agent-based, preferably a multi-agent-based, control system (SS) for an industrial flexible production system (PS). To simplify implementation of a control system for a flexible production system, it is provided that a simulation model (KM) of the production system (PS) is generated, and that the simulation model (KM) derived from the production system (PS) is transformed directly into models of a multi-agent-based control system (MASS).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a workpiece (WSx) during a transportation and/or production process with at least one workpiece agent (WA1 . . . WAn) assigned to the workpiece. To enhance the freedom of the process from failure on the one hand and to facilitate the incorporation of new workpieces into the process on the other, it is provided that the failure of a workpiece agent (WA1 . . . WAn) assigned to a workpiece (WSx) is detected; that the monitoring of the workpiece (WSx) is taken over by a further workpiece agent (WAk), and workpiece-specific data of the taken-over workpiece (WSx) are contained in the workpiece agent (WAk) taking over the monitoring and/or in a database and are transmitted in the workpiece agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transportation system (10) for transporting objects (WSx), in particular workpieces, including a plurality of parallel or substantially parallel transportation paths (12, 14, 16) and a device (18) for shifting the objects (WSx) between at least two adjacent transportation paths (12, 14, 16). In order to reduce both the space required for the transportation path and the time consumption for displacing the workpieces between the transportation paths, it is proposed that the transportation paths (12, 14, 16) are disposed one above the other in different planes, and that the workpieces (WSx) on being shifted are moved on a path (30) that defines a plane extending perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transportation paths (12, 14, 16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the workpiece flow in a production system (10), including workpieces (16) and workpiece agents (18) associated with the workpieces, machines (12) for machining the workpieces (16), and machine agents (14) associated with the machines (12) and transportation device (20). To make a flexible production system available that is tolerant of at least partial failures of system components, it is provided that each transportation agent (30) is assigned at least one machine (12) with a specified machine address Mn; that the transportation agent (30) is tasked to transport the workpiece (16) to a desired destination machine address Mz; and that the transportation agent (30) autonomously controls the transportation device (20) in such a way that the workpiece (16) is transported to the machine with the destination machine address Mz via a specified destination exit (A1-A4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring circuit for at least one supply voltage (UB, UH), including a first threshold switch (20), which if the supply voltage (UB) drops below a predeterminable threshold value generates a first warning signal (USWN), and a second threshold switch (66), which after a fixed warning period tw elapses generates a second warning signal (TOTUSN). In order that the warning signals will be generated without bounce, it is provided that the threshold switches (20, 66) each have an internal counting circuit for determining time periods tv1, tv2, after which the first and second warning signals (USWN, TOTUSN) generated are reset.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a monitoring circuit for at least one supply voltage, having comparators that generate a first report signal if the supply voltage is below a predeterminable threshold value and a second report signal after a fixed warning time elapses. The supply voltage is supplied in a first circuit unit (4) to a first comparator (7). The first comparator is followed by a switch element, with which a capacitor (19), connected parallel to it and chargeable from an operating voltage source, can be short-circuited in order to lower the input voltage of a second comparator (13), disposed in the control unit (4), to below a second reference voltage that defines a limit value for the resetting of the report signal.