A Study on Production Line Planning Based on Reconfigurable Cells

A production line planning method based on reconfigurable cells with the idea of modularization design is proposed. The reconfigurable cell, configurated or reconfigurated with genetic algorithm, is regarded as the basic module of production line. Through adding, deleting and adjusting the reconfigurable cells and relevant equipments, the capability of the cells and the whole production line can easily be changed. With the multi agent based control system, the independency of the control system and the real configuration of product line and its cells can be ensured, thus the rapid configuration and reconfiguration of the production line can be realized, and the flexible market requirements for products can easily be satisfied.