Sensitivity analysis of specific metrics for automated evaluation of layout changeability

Abstract

Manufacturing companies are facing a turbulent market environment. Challenges for these companies lie in balancing efficient, economical action with maintaining agility, responsiveness and competitiveness. Thus, it is becoming even more important that as much potential as possible is leveraged as early as the planning phase of a factory. Automated layout design with focus on changeability could help to increase the agility and responsiveness for the factories. Approaches for automated design and optimization of layout variants are already prevalent. Ultimately, the major challenge remains in the automation of the layout evaluation taking qualitative criteria in consideration. Burggräf et al. provide a first approach for the quantification of the qualitative layout evaluation criterion changeability through specific metrics. Within the scope of this work those metrics are examined with regard to their reliability. Anomalies or deviations in the evaluation results shall be identified and suggestions for improvement will be proposed based on the obtained insights.