1. Presented by: Vadim Tutaev & Boris Sheendlin *Based on an article by M.G. Mehrabi, A.G. Ulson, Y.Koren and P.Heytler. *Published in the journal of intelligent manufacturing,13, 135-146, 2002

2. From craft production to mass production

3. From mass production to mass customization Market Fragmentation

4. Timeline of manufacturing systems

5. The Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) Manufacturing paradigm introduced in the late 70’s allowing maximum flexibility and respond ability using software manipulations. The objective: allowing the possibility to make various parts on the same system, keeping chargeover time short as possible. Software & Hardware are linked. Fixed hardware, programmable software. Few stations may work combined in a production line. Complex and costly solution. Require highly skilled workers to operate and install. High costs of the machinery.

6. Motives for investment in FMS Survey respondents: (66 experts)FMS users, builders, machinery suppliers, educational institutes. ->Most respondents declared they purchased more FMS’s than needed for future needs.

7. Manufacturing industry applying FMS RealityExpectations 9 months6 months First machine ramp-up time 2 months1 month2 nd + machine ramp up time 3 months New product ramp up time 44Num. of operators per system 30 seconds1 minuteChangeover time between LOTs 2214Num. of Products per FMS

8. The majority uses 2-10 stations in the manufacturing process. On a single machine, the most common use is for 1-5 products. 87% said that they would continue to use FMS for their original planned applications. Most respondents indicated mild satisfaction of FMS or complete neutrality but in no case disappointment. Only 47% declared that that the purchased FMS was being operated close to their full potential. 55% reported that more FMS features were purchased than needed at installation time. 73% of manufacturers looking for a way to incrementally increase the capacity of existing manufacturing system, while they do not need the extra functionality of FMS. Manufacturing industry applying FMS

9. The RMS: “the next trend” or “intended to fail” paradigm? A reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) is one designed at the outset for rapid change in its structure, as well as its hardware and software components, in order to quickly adjust its production capacity and functionality within a part family in response to sudden market changes.

10. The RMS: “the next trend” or “intended to fail” paradigm?

11. Article’s forecast V.S. reality