Title: An integrated modelling approach in support of next generation reconfigurable manufacturing systems

Authors: Tariq Masood, Richard Weston

Addresses: Manufacturing System Integration (MSI) Research Institute; Centre of Excellence in Customised Assembly (CECA), Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. ' Manufacturing System Integration (MSI) Research Institute; Centre of Excellence in Customised Assembly (CECA), Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK

Abstract: Dynamism and uncertainty are real challenges for present day manufacturing enterprises (MEs). Choosing and applying the best philosophies and techniques is very difficult as most MEs deploy complex and unique configurations of processes and resource systems to cope with changing product flows. It follows that systematic methods of achieving model-driven reconfiguration and interoperation of component-based manufacturing systems are required to design, engineer and change next generation (NG) MEs. This paper describes a novel systematic approach, namely an integrated modelling approach (IMA), designed to support next generation reconfigurable manufacturing systems (NGRMS). The IMA is helpful in creating coherent sets of models that facilitate the engineering of production planning and control (PPC) strategies. Coherent multi-perspective industrial case study models are also presented that have facilitated process reengineering and associated resource system configuration. Those models have a capability to enable PPC decision making in support of complex organisation design and change (OD&C).

Keywords: organisation design; organisational change; OD&C; next generation manufacturing; reconfigurable manufacturing systems; responsive manufacturing; change-capable; enterprise modelling; causal loop modelling; CLM; simulation modelling; integrated modelling; production planning; production control; PPC.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAET.2011.040054

International Journal of Computer Aided Engineering and Technology, 2011 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.372 - 398

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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