Programmable Manufacturing Advisor (PMA) is a device intended to automate decision-making in manufacturing environment. Programming and installing a PMA at any production system makes it smart: it becomes capable of self-diagnosing and providing the Operations Manager with an advice for achieving the desired productivity improvement. In this paper, theoretical/analytical foundations of PMA are outlined, its software/hardware implementations are commented upon, and demonstrations of PMA-based Smart Production Systems are provided using an automotive underbody assembly system and a hot-dip galvanization plant.
