A rule-based fuzzy-logic approach for the measurement of manufacturing flexibility.pdf

Int J Adv Manuf Technol (2008) 38:1098–1113
DOI -007-1182-x
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
A rule-based fuzzy-logic approach for the measurement
of manufacturing flexibility
Ankur Das & Rahul Caprihan
Received: 6 December 2006 /Accepted: 23 July 2007 /Published online: 22 September 2007
# Springer-Verlag London Limited 2007
Abstract Manufacturing flexibility is a difficult to quantify with their underlying implications [31]. Such problems
concept that defies universal definition. This paper presents exist primarily because flexibility is a polymorphous [24]
a novel fuzzy-logic approach for measuring manufacturing and multidimensional concept [26, 37]. Nevertheless,
flexibility that exploits linguistic variables for quantifying Upton [46] reiterates its relevance and importance in the
pertinent factors monly utilized flexibility manufacturing arena by noting that, “10 or 15 years ago,
types. Towards this end, we identify and measure the quality was much like flexibility is today: vague and
contribution of specified state variables towards the difficult to improve yet critical petitiveness”.
assumed flexibility types in order pute an overall In the literature, a key factor that has been identified for the
flexibility index for a generic manufacturing system. The enhancement of its conceptualization is the ability to measure
suggested framework provides a convenient end user it. Measurement of manufacturing flexibility imparts a great
approach amenable to software implementation that is deal of insight at both the strategic and operational levels of a
exemplified through the development of a prototypical firm that equips managers to deal with current problems such
software tool called “Flexibility Evaluator”. as shrinking product life cycles, fierce petition, and
the ever-increasing demand for product variety. Extant
Keywords Manufacturing flexibility measurement . literature however reveals that there is considerable multiplicity
Systemic stat