A Control Approach to Explore the Dynamics of Capacity Scalability in Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems

This paper presents a dynamic model and analysis for one of the major characteristics of reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMSs) capacity scalability. The dynamic model is analyzed using its transfer function. Dynamic characteristics associated with the delay in capacity scalability and how to minimize this delay are discussed using control approaches. The problem of how to supply exact capacity in response to market changes is also examined by solving the dynamic problem of the production offset phenomenon in RMSs. The effect of work in process as a damping factor for production disturbances during capacity scalability is addressed. Finally, a general capacity scalability controller design is proposed to improve the dynamic performance of RMSs in response to sudden demand changes. The proposed controller considers the different activities associated with the capacity scalability process. A numerical example is also presented to highlight the applicability of the approach.