ADOPTION OF FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM IN INDUSTRY

Abstract

quotManufacturing companies face the challenge of technological innovation in competitive markets. Rapid changes in technology produce product and process with short product life cycles, short lead times with continuously changing consumer preferences with the high uncertainty that demands enhanced manufacturing flexibility not only for productivity enhancement but for survival too. The higher manufacturing flexibility offers more spare time to feed customers with higher the product range and variety of options. Dynamic changes and the competitive market may be captured through adoption of Flexible Manufacturing System.. newlineThe present research pertaining to adoption of a FMS in industry also attempts to bridge the gap existing in the body of knowledge. An exhaustive and comprehensive literature review has been conducted to identify the gaps pertaining to adoption of FMS. Many barriers have been identified that are responsible for obstructing the adoption of FMS. The present research also studies the present status of manufacturing system prevailing in the Gujarat region of India and tries to collect the most needed information for upgrading the manufacturing systems. newlineA questionnaire based empirical study has been conducted to gauge the prevailing status of the manufacturing systems adopted in manufacturing industries and probable adoption of flexible manufacturing system. An attempt has also been made to study various barriers responsible in adopting FMS. A structured questionnaire covering hard and soft issues has been designed administered to get the insight of adopting the FMS in industry. An Analytic hierarchy process based model has been designed and applied to select the FMS system. A two-phase AHP and Group decision making (GDM) based model has been designed for the performance evaluation of Flexible Manufacturing System. newlineThe main contribution of this research is given below: newline An extensive and comprehensive literature review is undertaken in order to identify the research gaps and research issues in the ado