An Improved Methodology for Flexibility Design in Production System of Manufacturing Firms

摘要

This research designs flexibility in production system in four categories: one-machine-one part, many-machines-one-part, one-machine-many-parts, and many-machines-many-parts. An important component in design and development of flexibility in a production system is the establishment of appropriate flexibility measures. A flexibility measure or a set of flexibility measures is used to determine the level of flexibility in a typical production system at a given situation. A firm with higher flexibility is expected to develop a variety of products at low cost, high quality, and with short throughput time. In order to achieve appropriate control over flexibility over time, the best option is to measure and evaluate it in quantitative terms. In this research, models pertaining to various flexibility dimensions are developed and applied in a typical engine manufacturing firm in India to quantify the level of flexibility.