Developing a reconfigurability index using multi-attribute utility theory

Abstract : Reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMSs) have been acknowledged as a promising means of providing manufacturing companies with the required production capacities and capabilities. This is accomplished through reconfiguring the system elements over the time for a diverse set of individualised products often required in small quantities and with short delivery lead time. This necessitates the requirement of mapping the manufacturing system capabilities and other characteristics by developing a suitable index. In this paper an index has been developed to measure the reconfigurability of RMSs keeping in mind their various core characteristics such as modularity, scalability, convertibility and diagnosability. These characteristics have been mapped together using multi-attribute utility theory. One could easily use this index to find the reconfigurability of a system possessing different characteristics. An illustrative example is provided to reveal the application of the proposed methodology on a given system. Insight gained would be of much interest to the decision makers managing the complexity of a manufacturing system for diversified products.