Reconfigurable manufacturing systems: the state of the art

TLDR

Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems (RMS) are highlighted as a central paradigm for next‑generation manufacturing. The paper reviews general requirements and strategies for next‑generation manufacturing systems, analyzes key issues and developments in RMS design, and proposes future research directions. The authors classify production paradigms that implement these strategies and examine the key issues in RMS design. The study proposes suggestions and identifies future research directions for RMS development.

Abstract

In this paper, general requirements of next generation manufacturing systems are discussed, and the strategies to meet these requirements are considered. The production paradigms which apply these strategies are also classified. Particular emphasis is put on the paradigm of Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS). Some key issues of the RMS design are discussed, and a critical review is presented concerning the developments of RMSs. Finally, suggestions of the RMS research are made and future research directions are identified.