Modelling of Manufacturing Systems Complexity

This research aims at understanding the effects of human worker attributes within the manufacturing system. The system must balance human characteristics, needs, skills and capabilities within the technical and business environment, in order to be effective. A model is needed to provide insights into the sensitivities of the manufacturing system. A methodology to systematically determine the product and process complexity for any manufacturing environment was introduced - a rapid Manufacturing Complexity Assessment Tool (MCAT). The complexity model is based on three elements: total quantity of information, diversity of information and the information content which corresponds to the effort to produce a feature within a product. Product and process complexity are decoupled and treated independently in this analysis. An example is presented to illustrate the methodology for both. The purpose is to develop a tool that helps to identify areas of complexity that can be simplified.