Flexibility Concept

Flexibility Concept

Flexibility Concept - Flexibility is an important characteristic in the modern manufacturing setting. It means that a manufacturing system is versatile and adaptable, while also capable of handling relatively high production runs. A flexible manufacturing system is versatile in that it can produce a variety of parts.

It is adaptable in that it can be quickly modified to produce a completely different line of parts. This flexibility can be the difference between success and failure in a competitive international market place.

It is a matter of balance. Standalone computer numerical control (CNC) C machines have a high degree of flexibility, but are capable of relatively low volume production runs. At the opposite end of the spectrum, transfer lines are capable of highvolume runs, but they are not very flexible.

Flexible manufacturing is an attempt to use technology in such a way as to achieve the optimum balance between flexibility and production runs. These technologies include automated materials, handling group technology, and computer and distributed numerical control.