Reconfigurable Manufacturing System

Abstract

Synonyms Changeable manufacturing system Definition Reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) is one designed at the outset for rapid change in its structure, as well as in its hardware and software components, in order to quickly adjust its production capacity and functionality, within a part family , in response to market changes. A typical large RMS system consists of some 15-150 machines operating in concert, where the operations of each machine depend on previous machines and next machines. Key terms in the above definition are: (1) The RMS is designed at the outset for future changes in its structure. (2) These changes may either increase the system capacity (i.e., maximum annual production volume), or change the system functionality (i.e., to enable producing different parts). (3) Functionality changes in RMS are limited to be within a part family. (4) The RMS design enables rapid execution of its future changes (in order to minimize the idle time of the system between changes). To enable achieving these unique features, the RMS must have special core characteristics. RMS Characteristics The RMS possesses six characteristics (Koren 2006). Three operational characteristics enable upgrading the system to achieve exactly the desired capacity and functionality, and guarantee the required product quality. Three structural characteristics enable achieving the operational characteristics (a) quickly and (b) cost-effectively. When possessing the six RMS characteristics, the RMS can deliver rapidly and economically exactly the capacity and functionality needed, exactly at the time needed by the market. The cost-effective, timely response to market demand is the essence of RMS. Operational Characteristics Scalability-the ability to rapidly upgrade existing production capacity by adding machines (Wang and Koren 2013), buffers, or gantries, or by changing the production capacity of reconfigurable machines within that system (e.g., by adding spindles to a machine to increase its productivity (Spicer et al. 2005).) Deif and ElMaraghy (2006) addressed capacity scalability in RMS based on a control approach.