Theory Flashcards
Flexibility of Manufacturing Systems I
Machine flexibility Material handling flexibility Operation Flexibility Process Flexibility Product Flexibility
Machine flexibility
Various operations performed without set-up change
Material handling flexibility
Number of used paths / total number of possible paths between
all machines
Operation Flexibility
Number of different processing plans available for part fabrication
Process Flexibility
Set of part types that can be produced without major set-up
changes, i.e. part-mix flexibility
Product Flexibility
Ease (time and cost) of introducing products into an
existingproduct mix. It contributes to agility
Types of changeability
Changeover Reconfigurability Flexibility Transformability Agility
Changeover ability
is the operative ability of a single machine or work station to perform particular operations on a known workpiece or subassembly at any desired time with minimal effort and delay.
Reconfigurability
is the operative ability of a manufacturing or assembly system to switch with minimal effort and delay to a particular family of workpieces or subassemblies through the addition or removal of functional elements.
Flexibility
refers to the tactical ability of an entire production and logistics area to switch within reasonably little time and effort to new, albeit similar, families of components by changing manufacturing processes, material flows, and logistical functions.
Transformability
indicates the tactical ability of an entire factory structure to switch to another product family. This calls for structural intervention in the production and logistics systems, the structure and facilities of the buildings, the organization structure and process, as well as in personnel.
Agility
means the strategic ability of an entire company to open up new markets, to develop the requisite products and services, and to build up necessary manufacturing capacity.
In the context of this definition, the changeover ability needs no special attention for changeable manufacturing since this aspect is an ongoing concern of machine tool and assembly systems design. Agility is beyond the factory level and is treated as a strategic setting for the design of a changeable factory. Different types of flexibility have been defined and are relevant to the various levels in the changeability in Fig.
Transformation enablers
Universality Mobility Scalability Modularity Compatibility
Modularity
workable functions and methods or clearly defined objects, e.g., “plug and produce” modules, exist.
Scalability
applicability is independent of product, process, and customer and supplier relationship complexity.
