Modeling economic efficiency of multi-technology platforms

Abstract

It is believed that for complex workpieces and small lot sizes complete machining with multi-technology platforms reduces cycle times compared to multiple standalone machines and is economically more efficient. However, so far in literature no mathematical model has been applied to compare these alternatives with respect to cost and productivity. This paper introduces a mathematical model for part costs and productivity and examines conditions under which multi-technology platforms are economically efficient. It is concluded that depending on the reduction of reconfiguration and processing times efficient production with multi-technology platforms is not solely limited to small lot sizes.

Modeling the characteristics of multi-technology platforms

“…If the difference in fixed costs is equal to zero the problem is reduced to the productivity criterion discussed in a previous paper [9]. Thus the case v = 0 is not subject of this paper.…”

“…The model unifies the part cost and the productivity criterion that were defined in a previous paper [9]. Instead of a separate examination of part costs and productivity this approach permits a more holistic view on economic efficiency of multi-technology platforms.…”

“…Based on these findings it was shown that the reduction of cycle times is linked to critical lot sizes and the number of processes by which a part is machined. Two separate models were proposed to analyse equality of part cost and productivity individually [9].…”