Glossary · System coordination, integration and orchestration
Shared resource
German: Gemeinsam genutzte Ressource
In automation and computing, a shared resource is a resource, such as a robot, tool, workstation, conveyor segment, data store or communication channel, that several tasks, machines or processes use, but typically not all at the same time, so access must be coordinated.
- System integration
In one sentence
A shared resource is used by several tasks or machines, usually not simultaneously, so access must be coordinated.
Example
One measurement station serves two machining centers; each center must request and lock the station before sending a part.
How it applies
- Engineering: Identify shared resources in the concept phase and choose a coordination scheme: Resource arbitration, Resource locks, reservations and release rules. Shared resources are frequent bottlenecks and sources of deadlock.
- Commissioning: Test access conflicts, holder failures and restarts. Check that every program path releases the resource.
- Operation: Operators need to see who uses a shared resource and why a machine is waiting for it.
- Documentation: List shared resources and their coordination rules in the system description. Where people work at a shared resource, the documentation must also address safety, since coordination between machines does not protect people.
Shared resource vs. shared safety zone
A shared resource is shared between machines or tasks for efficiency. A Shared safety zone is an area shared by people and machines, where safety-rated functions control risk. A robot cell can be both, and each aspect needs its own design.