Flexibility in production systems of Indian manufacturing firms: design and implications

Abstract

This paper explores the current state of flexibility adoption in production systems. The research examines the status of flexibility in production systems in four categories: one-machine-one part, many-machines-one-part, one-machine-many-parts, and many-machines-many-parts. A company with higher flexibility is expected to develop a variety of products at low cost, high quality, and with short cycle time. An important component in design and development of flexibility in a production system is the establishment of appropriate flexibility measures. A flexibility measure or a set of flexibility measures is used to determine the level of flexibility in a typical production system at a given situation. In order to achieve appropriate control over flexibility over time, the best option is to measure and evaluate it in quantitative terms. In this research, models pertaining to various flexibility dimensions are developed and applied in a typical bearing manufacturing company to quantify the level of flexibility.