A tool for assessing reconfigurability of distributed manufacturing systems

Amro M. Farid, Duncan C. McFarlane

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    14 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    In recent years, a large number of approaches to developing distributed manufacturing systems has been proposed. One of the principles reasons for these development has been to enhance the reconfigurability of a manufacturing operation; allowing it to readily adapt to changes over time. However, to date, there has only been a limited assessment of the resulting reconfigurability properties and hence it remains inconclusive as to whether a distributed manufacturing system design approach does in fact improve reconfigurability. This paper represents part of a study which investigates this issue. It proposes an assessment tool - the so called "Design Structure Matrix" as a means of assessing the modularity of elements in a manufacturing system. (Modularity has been shown to be a key characteristic of a reconfigurable manufacturing system.) The use of the Design Structure Matrix is illustrated in assessing a robot assembly cell designed on distributed manufacturing system principles.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication12th IFAC Symposium on Information Control Problems in Manufacturing, INCOM 2006, and Associated Industrial Meetings
    Subtitle of host publicationEMM'2006, BPM'2006, JT'2006
    EditionPART 1
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2006

    Publication series

    NameIFAC Proceedings Volumes (IFAC-PapersOnline)
    NumberPART 1
    Volume12
    ISSN (Print)1474-6670

    Keywords

    • Design structure matrix
    • Modularity
    • Reconfigurability
    • Reconfigurable manufacturing systems

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