Hybrid Petri net and digraph approach for deadlock prevention in automated manufacturing systems

This paper proposes a hybrid approach to deadlock prevention in automated manufacturing systems that combines Petri nets (PNs) and digraphs, so taking advantage of the strong points of both techniques. The approach uses digraphs to make the detection of deadlock conditions easier and then translates the obtained information in empty siphons of the PN modelling the same system. The proposed methodology allows the implementation of new PN-based deadlock prevention control policies. A case study and the simulation results show the benefits of the new control strategies.