Assessment of manufacturing systems reconfiguration smoothness

Modelling and optimization of multiple-aspect RMS configurations

“…Second, the developed GA is capable of producing the best solution as well as other near-optimal ones, which allows more latitude in using other system objectives and criteria for differentiating among these solutions. This is particularly important in dealing with RMS, which might require using other considerations such as the effect of reconfiguration smoothness (RS) (Youssef and ElMaraghy 2006) in the selection of system configurations at the beginning of each configuration period 9 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 15 1 4 1 15 13 1 5 2 5 0 2 3 1 6' 0 1 5 3 0 5 1 5 2 0 9 2 3 2 0 6 1 2 1 0 11 8 1 3 1 1 1 1 4 1 15 14 1 5 5 5 5 1 2 1 0 13 1 5 2 0 9 2 3 1 6' 0 2 3 2 0 6 1 3 1 0 12 8 1 3 1 1 1 1 4 1 15 14 1 5 5 5 5 1 2 1 0 13 1 5 2 0 9 2 3 2 0 6 2 3 1 6' 0 1 3 1 0 12 8 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 14 1 4 1 15 13 1 5 5 5 5 1 5 2 0 9 2 3 2 0 6 1 3 1 0 12 2 3 1 6' 0 8 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 14 1 4 1 15 13 1 5 2 0 9 1 5 5 5 5 2 3 2 0 6 1 3 1 0 12 2 3 1 6' 0 8 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 14 1 4 1 15 13 1 5 3 0 5 1 5 4 5 9 2 3 2 0 6 1 3 1 0 12 2 3 1 6' 0 8 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 14 1 4 1 15 13 1 5 4 5 9 1 5 3 0 5 2 3 2 0 6 1 3 1 0 12 2 3 1 6' 0 8 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 14 1 4 1 15 13 1 5 5 5 5 2 3 2 0 6 1 5 2 0 9 1 3 1 0 12 2 3 1 6' 0 8 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 15 1 4 1 15 13 1 5 5 5 5 2 3 1 6' 0 1 5 2 0 9 2 3 2 0 6 1 2 1 0 11 Figure 7. String representations of nine distinctive optimal configurations for the case study.…”

“…They focused on appropriate product design as a means of attaining reconfigurability. Youssef and ElMaraghy (2006) introduced a reconfiguration smoothness (RS) metric that reflects the ease and smoothness of transforming the system from one configuration to the next, which can support the configuration selection decisions. In addition, they developed rules to guide the decisions concerning the execution of the reconfiguration process.…”

Flexible and reconfigurable manufacturing systems paradigms

“…However, many open questions remain and several fundamental and practical challenges represent fertile areas of research (see for example: Youssef and ElMaraghy, 2006;Son, 2000;Deif and ElMaraghy, 2006;Spicer et al, 2002;Youssef and ElMaraghy, 2006a;Shabaka and ElMaraghy, 2005;Kuzgunkaya and ElMaraghy, 2006;Nada and ElMaraghy, 2006). These challenges include, but are not limited to: 1) measures for changeability, flexibility, adaptability, responsiveness, reconfigurability and their relationships, 2) the hardware and software enabling technologies, 3) reconfigurable logical support systems, such as logistics, production planning and control, process planning, tooling, and fixtures, 4) balance of hard and soft capacity and functionality scalability options, 5) design of machines, systems, and controls for flexibility, changeability, and reconfiguration and integration with current systems and software, 6) models to determine adequate levels of changeability, flexibility, and reconfigurability required for different applications, 7) appropriate capacity scalability (both expansion and reduction) policies, 8) lifecycle economic justification models for these paradigms, 9) appropriate frequency of change or reconfiguration, 10) rules for reconfiguration and changeability, 11) smooth and optimal systems transition and changeover, 12) changeability and reconfiguration dependent quality factors, including human-related issues, 13) complexity measurement, reduction, and management techniques, 14) the use of group technology to capitalize on commonality and standardization of parts, operation sequences, product structure, platforms, engineering, and purchasing, and 15) defining a "total productivity" measure, which considers all elements and all trade-offs.…”

Performance Issues in Reconfigurable Manufacturing System

“…Youssef and ElMaraghy (2008a) presented a comprehensive study on how reliability and availability can be considered for multiple-aspect RMS configurations problems. Nevertheless, the literature reviewed on reliability and availability of RMS revealed that research works which takes into account the multiple aspects of RMS problems, either narrow down the problem to a single part family (Son et al, 2001) or certain assumptions were made to simplify the problem at the expense of reliability and quality (Tang et al, 2004) and in many researches on RMS planning and selection, the availability or reliability factor has not been considered at all (Youssef & ElMaraghy 2006b). …”