Optimum configuration selection in Reconfigurable Manufacturing System involving multiple part families

Reconfigurable manufacturing systems are recognized as next generation manufacturing systems capable of providing the exact functionality and capacity as and when required. An RMS is designed around a part family and provides customized flexibility to manufacture all the members of the part family. However, RMS designed around multiple part families are also available in literature. In a real shop floor scenario, the manufacturers have to deal with varied number of orders for multiple part families and after producing the orders of a particular family, they need to switch over to the orders of a different part family. Changing over from one part family to another may require the system's reconfiguration, which is a complex process and involves both cost and efforts. The complexity and cost involved from changing one configuration to another depends on the existing initial configuration and the new configuration required for subsequent production of orders belonging to a different part family. This paper focuses on determining optimal configuration of an RMS required by multiple part family orders. Also, optimum sequence of part families is identified on the basis of maximum benefit earned for a given system configuration. The proposed methodology is demonstrated with an example. © 2013 Operational Research Society of India.