The network model provides the formalisation and theoretical basis for the generation of options for the design of agile production plants, and the subsequent selection of the most appropriate option when reconfiguring a plant to meet changing product and process demands. The model is developed by applying the concepts of modularisation, standardisation and reconfigurability of plants, and provides the foundation for the development of tools to aid in the analysis of the design of a reconfigurable plant, and to assist in the decision making process. The model represents a plant as a set of nodes and links, with each element of the network, its functionality and the interactions/operations within the network being described in mathematical terms. Plant reconfigurability is described as a transition from one state to another of a plant characterised by specific functionality and level of modularisation. Modularisation and reconfigurability analyses as part of the methodology for the design of agile plants use the network model to simulate the options for plant design.
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