Models for performance evaluation of flexibility in manufacturing systems

We investigated the relationship between flexibility and performance of manufacturing systems. In particular, the effect of varying flexibility in either part production requirements or the machines capabilities is examined. Conditions under which a positive correlation between flexibility and performance exists are identified and the characteristics of this correlation are described. System management and control mechanisms necessary for realizing the benefits of flexibility are outlined. The results are first illustrated through a series of models of specific manufacturing situations. A unifying and generic framework for flexibility modelling and analysis is then introduced. The framework is used to re-interpret and generalize the result of the previous models. It is also used to argue for the existence of a number of fundamental relationships between flexibility and manufacturing performance.

[1]  R. Jaikumar.  Postindustrial manufacturing , 1986 .

[2]  Paul M. Swamidass,et al.  A classification of approaches to planning and justifying new manufacturing technologies , 1990 .

[3]  Asha S. Kapadia,et al.  Steady state waiting time in a multicenter job shop , 1978 .

[4]  Suresh P. Sethi,et al.  Flexibility in manufacturing: A survey , 1990 .

[5]  David Upton,et al.  A Flexible Structure for Computer-Controlled Manufacturing Systems , 1992 .

[6]  Saifallah Benjaafar,et al.  The strategic value of flexibility in sequential decision making , 1995 .

[7]  Diwakar Gupta,et al.  A framework for understanding flexibility of manufacturing systems , 1989 .

[8]  Charles H. Falkner,et al.  Multi-Attribute Decision Models in the Justification of CIM Systems , 1990 .

[9]  Nigel Slack,et al.  The Flexibility of Manufacturing Systems , 1987 .

[10]  Nallan C. Suresh,et al.  Justifying multimachine systems: An integrated strategic approach , 1985 .

[11]  Donald Gerwin,et al.  Manufacturing flexibility in the CAM era , 1989 .

[12]  Jukka Ranta,et al.  Economics and success factors of flexible manufacturing systems: The conventional explanation revisited , 1990 .

[13]  Jayanta Chandra.  Optimization-based opportunistic part dispatching in flexible manufacturing systems , 1990 .

[14]  Richard Weber.  Note-On the Marginal Benefit of Adding Servers to G/GI/m Queues , 1980 .

[15]  David D. Yao,et al.  Flexible Parts Routing in Manufacturing Systems , 1990 .

[16]  Susumu Morito,et al.  Design and analysis of a flexible manufacturing system with simulation-effects of flexibility on FMS performance , 1991, 1991 Winter Simulation Conference Proceedings..