Changing from conveyor to work-cell-based systems to deal with fluctuations in demand

Abstract

As consumption patterns become increasingly sophisticated and manufacturers strive to improve their competitiveness, not only by offering higher quality at competitive costs, but also by providing a broader mix of products and keeping the range attractive by launching successive new products, turbulence in the markets has intensified. This has driven leading manufacturers to research the development of alternative production systems that are supposed to enable them to operate more responsively. This paper discusses the trend of abandoning the strategy of relying on factory automation technologies and conveyor-based assembly lines, and shifting towards more human-centred production systems based on autonomous work-cells. This paper starts with a theoretical review, linking the need to cope with today's market turbulence with the issue of nurturing more agile organizations. A general view of the diffusion trend of work-cell-based assembly systems in various industries is then presented.

Middleware Application, Suitable to Build an Automated and Connected Smart Manufacturing Environment

“…Manufacturers are looking for a cell-based approach to offer products with different varieties. As the cellbased approach involves more complex production flows so for this, conveyor line production systems are not suitable [5]. In cell-based manufacturing, the best way to handle the goods shifting between cells is the use of mobile-robots.…”

A multi-criteria decision-making framework for assessing the quality and cost of facility layout alternatives: a case study

“…It is widely recognized in the literature that 20 per cent to 50 per cent of manufacturing expenses are attributed to facility layout and material handling, and it has been reported that effective layout design may reduce these costs by at least 10-30 per cent [4,5]. Therefore, the right physical allocation of machines and equipment and the right selection and design of the materials handling system may contribute significantly to reducing the unit cost of the product, and may enhance the company's competitive position [6,7].…”