Some ways to increase flexibility in manufacturing systems

In recent years, many flexible manufacturing systems have been or are being developed. FMS is important in order to adapt to severe changes in market and technology and also to increase productivity. In this paper, the evaluation variables of flexibility are proposed and factors improving the flexibility of single-stage production systems with different characters are discussed. However, most production systems are multi-stage mixed type systems. This paper also points out the characteristics of the amplification of multi-stage production systems as one of the important factors affecting the flexibility and productivity of the systems. Furthermore, some ways of reducing the amplification by the ordering systems are also presented. The multi-stage ordering models discussed here are simplified, neglecting the characteristics of the single production systems which make up total multi-stage production systems and neglecting parameters concerning transportation and material flows. The flexible manufacturing system of today is treated as a stage which is part of an overall system consisting of a succession of production stages with difference characteristics. However, it should also be considered as a way to increase the flexibility and productivity of the system as a whole.