Selecting an optimal production order and its corresponding configuration in a reconfigurable manufacturing system with multiple product groups

Abstract

In the current market, demand from the customers varies to the highest degree. Consequently, manufacturers need to determine some new approaches that can lead to achieving higher production rates and/or reduce the production costs. In the past production systems, the facility layout, workers' assignment and the function of each machine were held constant. Recently, Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS) [1], a production system that allows the modification of the system configuration, such as facility layout, workers' assignment and machine function, emerges. The improved efficiency of RMS to deal with the various demands from the customers can be expected. © 2006 Springer.