Multi-agent-based scheduling in cloud manufacturing with dynamic task arrivals

Abstract

Scheduling is a critical means for providing on-demand manufacturing services in cloud manufacturing. Multi-agent technologies provide an effective approach for addressing scheduling issues in cloud manufacturing, which, however, have rarely been used for solving the issue. This paper addresses scheduling issues in cloud manufacturing using multi-agent technologies. A multi-agent architecture for scheduling in cloud manufacturing is proposed firstly. Then, a corresponding multi-agent model is presented, which incorporates many-to-many negotiations based on an extended contract net protocol and takes into account dynamic task arrivals. Simulation results indicate the feasibility of the model and approach proposed.