A CASE-STUDY IN THE DESIGN OF FLEXIBLE ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS

The design of production systems is generally based on economic consid erations, which are related to certain technical criteria, such as cap acity, availability, and reliability. To realize a cost-effective desi gn, these technical and economic criteria should be considered in thei r mutual coherence during the conceptual design process. This paper fo cuses on a productivity model, which is related to this subject. This model allows an opinion to be formed about the technical and economic performance of conceptual robotic assembly cells, during the process o f design. First, the system design process is discussed in brief, afte r which the productivity variables are presented. An illustration of t he model is used to assess the technical and economic behavior of alte rnative system structures for the assembly of a power plug assortment.