This paper has proposed a method for choosing flexibility enablers to satisfy consumer demand and the strategic objectives of a manufacturing company. The method is an aid to the design of manufacturing systems incorporating flexibility and avoids wastage resulting from sub-optimization or unnecessary specifications. The contribution made by this paper is to propose an analysis based on a taxonomy suggested by the authors for deploying flexibility through four levels to the level of the resources that are able to provide the desired flexibility. Based on existing theories and complemented by the experience of individuals who work in manufacturing process management, the proposed method makes a novel contribution, as although previously proposed methods use Quality Function Deployment (QFD), they only deploy flexibility in two levels and fail to take into account the four levels found in the literature. In addition, the method described here allows flexibility to be deployed from a strategic level in the company, which differentiates if from other approaches. The need to understand and minimize the trade-offs between the different variables involved in issues related to flexibility makes this method of particular importance, as it evaluates the consequences of using resources that promote flexibility with the smallest possible loss of efficiency. A case study was described to show the applicability of the method, and this highlighted the fact that the process studied, which was configured for a high degree of automation, had serious problems related to restrictions on mix, for example. It can be inferred that this problem could be minimized by simplifying the tasks involved in the manufacture of the nine models of car on the production line and by hiring more experienced, multi-skilled workers than those employed at the time. However, further studies could usefully include a more detailed investigation of a manufacturing process that can be changed after analysis using the proposed method so that the impact of using the method to plan the degree of automation on the production line can be determined. The proposed method can be used as an aid for those who need to identify the main flexibility enablers for their specific case and thus align the company with its consumer market and business strategies.
The deployment of manufacturing flexibility as a function of company strategy
Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management ; 21 , 8 ; 971-989
2010
19 Seiten, 7 Bilder, 6 Tabellen, 24 Quellen
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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