Selecting technology for investment in flexible manufacturing

Primrose, P. L.; Leonard, R.

doi:10.1007/bf01325096

Cited by 24 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…As a general rule, replacing the common machine with a CNC results in a shorter production cycle duration for the system (this result is also reported in actual installations of flexible machines; see Primrose and Leonard 1991), which in turn caused smaller lot sizes. Thus, inventory peaks were reduced.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 50%

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Inventory issues in incremental FMS implementation

Kaighobadi

1995

Int J Flex Manuf Syst

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Abstract. In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated convincingly that impressive benefits can be obtained by the adoption of flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). To obtain the benefits of an FMS requires the development of a completely integrated system. However, FMS implementations are frequently done incrementally through the introduction of subsystems such as flexible machining centers into an existing conventional system. The purpose of this research is to investigate some of the operational issues associated with the introduction of a CNC (computer numerically controlled) machine tool into a conventional system. The primary objective of the present study is to explore the relative effects on inventory holding cost of installing a single CNC at different locations within three different system configurations. Additionally, the study examines the sensitivity of these impacts to changes in (1) System utilization; (2) the ratios of setup times to run times in the conventional work centers; and (3) the rates of increase in holding costs for parts as they move through the system. Results indicated that, in general, introduction of a CNC into an otherwise conventional system reduces inventory holding cost for the system as a whole. However, the degree of this reduction varies depending on the position of the CNC in the system. In some cases the reduction in inventory holding cost is substantial, while in other cases it is relatively small.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 50%

“…This machining center is similar to what Primrose and Leonard (1991) refer to as flexible manufacturing modules. The system studied here is composed of multiple machine tools.…”

Section: System Description and Assumptionsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Inventory issues in incremental FMS implementation

Kaighobadi

1995

Int J Flex Manuf Syst

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“…2 Implementation procedure for FMS Several authors have presented articles, which describe various steps necessary for the implementation of FMS technology (e.g., Fry and Smith 1989;Primrose and Leonard 1991;Groover 2003;Rezaie and Ostadi 2007). Fry and Smith (1989) have described a detailed procedure for the implementation of FMS in Department of Defence of U.S.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They have proposed the following eight distinct stages in the implementation of a flexible manufacturing system, i.e., (i) identify the manufacturing requirements of the parts to be produced, (ii) identify and evaluate the alternative technologies, (iii) choose the appropriate technology, (iv) send out requests for proposals, (v) evaluate and select the vendor, (vi) installation of FMS, (vii) system configuration, and (viii) shake down the system. Primrose and Leonard (1991) have suggested that the implementation procedure for flexible technology can be divided into three steps, i.e., (i) investment appraisal, (ii) technology selection and (iii) technical installation. Groover (2003) has also discussed FMS planning and implementation issue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of some issues and identification of some barriers in the implementation of FMS

Raj

Shankar

Suhaib

2007

Int J Flex Manuf Syst

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Global competition, advancements in technology and ever changing customers' demand have made the manufacturing companies to realize the importance of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). These organizations are looking at FMS as a viable alternative to enhance their competitive edge. But, implementation of this universally accepted and challenging technology is not an easy task. A large number of articles have been reviewed and it is found that the existing literature lacks in providing a clear picture about the implementation of FMS. In this paper, work of various researchers has been studied and it is found that it is really a very difficult task for any organization to transform into FMS on the basis of existing research results. A wide gap exists between the proposed approaches/algorithms for the design of different components of FMS and the real-life complexities. Besides describing the gap in various issues related to FMS, some barriers, which inhibit the adaptation and implementation of

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“…Generally, return on investment (ROI) method is applied in justification of machine tools [10,11,24]. Investments in machine tools are often accepted as stand-alone replacement projects, which do not improve the performance of a company enough to affect its strategic positioning against its competitors in the market [18,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%