Understanding reconfigurability of manufacturing systems: An empirical analysis. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maganha, Isabela; Silva, Cristovao; Ferreira, Luis Miguel D.F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of manufacturing systems. Volume 48(2018)Part A
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Reconfigurable manufacturing system -- Reconfigurability -- Exploratory analysis -- Questionnaire survey; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Production engineering -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Robots, Industrial -- Periodicals; Production, Technique de la -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Robots industriels -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 670.42
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmsy.2018.07.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-6125

Abstract

Highlights: This study reports the first effort that tests and validates the core characteristics of RMS using an exploratory survey. The questionnaire target 600 manufacturing companies and obtained 112 usable responses, achieving a response rate of 18.7%. The findings support the existence of five core characteristics of reconfigurability. Manufacturing companies tend to prioritize the implementation of characteristics that reduce the overall costs. Technologies preconized by industry 4.0 might contribute to the increase of the reconfigurability of manufacturing systems. Abstract: The need for more responsive manufacturing systems to deal with high product variety and large fluctuations in market demand requires new approaches that enable the system to react to changes quickly and efficiently. Reconfigurability is an ability that allows the addition, removal or rearrangement of manufacturing system components and functions to better cope with high product variety and significant fluctuations in market demand in a cost effective way. This paper empirically investigates the understanding of reconfigurability in industrial manufacturing companies and tests and validates its core characteristics using a questionnaire survey, which was carried out with Portuguese companies. Findings show the existence of five core characteristics of reconfigurability. The implications of these characteristics, concerning the implementation of Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems, are also analysed and discussed.