Multi-Agent Tool Management in the Manufacturing of Aircraft Engines

A Multi-Agent Tool Management System (MATMS) for automatic tool procurement in a supply network was developed and implemented. The MATMS realization involved the engineering design of an agent system that operates in the framework of a negotiation-based multiple-supplier network where an aircraft engine producer (buyer) requires from external tool manufacturers (sellers) the purchase of new cubic boron nitride (CBN) grinding wheels and the performance of dressing operations on worn-out CBN grinding wheels for turbine blade fabrication. The main purpose of the MATMS is the optimized tool management for nickelbased alloy turbine blade grinding while operating in a supply environment made uncertain by external tool manufacturers providing unreliable tool delivery time responses.