An Adaptive Algorithm for Multiple Part Families Manufacturing Selection in Reconfigurable Flow Lines

Abstract

Reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMSs) are designed to satisfy for the requirements of a part family by amending changes in its hardware and software components rapidly in response to the quick fluctuations in the market demands. In the present work, a key RMS planning aspect has been considered and corresponding methodology and solutions are proposed for solving the problem. A Multiple Part Families Manufacturing (MPFM) problem has been considered for RMS. It involves selection of optimal reconfiguration policy while switching from production of one part family to another. This policy involves the evaluation of optimal sequences to be adopted for MPFM, which are evaluated on the basis of performance measures like number of reconfiguration set-ups involved, total reconfiguration cost and total reconfiguration time, while switching from one RSPFL set-up to another.