Configuration selection in reconfigurable manufacturing system based on reconfigurability

Reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMS) are considered as a major resource of providing variable production capacities and capabilities by different manufacturing companies. For different products needed in small quantities and with short delivery lead time, this is achieved through reconfiguring the system elements over time. There is a need to develop a suitable performance index for mapping the manufacturing system characteristics. To find the reconfigurability of RMS considering the different characteristics such as modularity, convertibility and diagnosability an index has been developed in this paper. Using weighted sum theory, these characteristics have been mapped together. A case study is given to understand the applicability of the proposed methodology on a given system.