A method for FMS flexibility evaluation with computer simulation

컴퓨터 시뮬레이션에 의한 FMS 유연성의 평가방법 연구

In this paper, the definition to flexibility is examined through the literature and re-classified to set up an evaluation model. Flexibility is classified into three categories to find the flexibility types for evaluation. The flexibility type called as manufacturing flexibility is defined and a model is developed to make the performance evaluation possible, The manufacturing flexibility has a heavy relationship to the machine flexibility; and 5 flexibility types out of 8 have relationship to the machine flexibility. This indicates that it is possible to have a pretty good evaluation measure if the machine flexibility related types could be evaluated using a model. There are four different inter-arrival times in the model. A big time saving is observed if the processing time is set equal to 72 second. This indicates that a flexibility affects the system a lot if the inter-arrival time is close to the processing time. The model used in this paper includes multi-processes in a production line with machine failure. However, development of realistic models with buffer between processes and some of the flexibility types not included in this model are remained for further research.