Date of Award
12-1993
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering and Engineering Management
Department
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Tarun Gupta
Second Advisor
Dr. Frank Wolf
Third Advisor
Dr. Bob White
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Increased competition in manufacturing has focused attention on advanced technologies. These costly technologies lead to difficulty in purchase justification using traditional methods. New methods quantify attributes relating to the flexibility of advanced systems. One such attribute is routing flexibility.
This thesis presents results of experiments into evaluation of routing flexibility. The performance of conventional dedicated machinery when compared with that of machines having routing flexibility indicates an advantage of flexible machinery. The thesis indicates a procedure for evaluation of different flexibilities and their comparison with conventional machinery in reality.
An empirical formula is developed that helps in quantifying routing flexibility and thus in the process of justification. This research opens other avenues for developing similar quantification procedures for other forms of flexibilities associated with advanced manufacturing equipment.
Recommended Citation
Pathak, Sanjay, "An Experimental Study into the Role of Routing Flexibility in the Justification of Advanced Manufacturing Systems" (1993). Masters Theses. 4016.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4016