| Abstract: | Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) increase the efficiency of operations by improving cost, quality, and lead time while decision support and expert systems (DSS&ES) improve the effectiveness of manufacturing by assisting the decision maker in coordinating all the elements and increasing the overall utilization of the factory, particularly in managing a complex system of flexible manufacturing. This article surveys a number of available decision support and expert systems applications in flexible manufacturing after reviewing the features of each one and then proposes additional potential applications.It appears that what is holding back the widespread use of FMS is not the technology, but is some management issues. Application of DSS&ES enables a manager to obtain a full flexibility of equipment in terms of machine flexibility, product flexibility, process flexibility, operation flexibility, routing flexibility, volume flexibility, expansion flexibility, and production flexibility. Many decisions are made in planning and operating FMS that can be categorized into three classes of strategic, tactical, and operational decisions. Each class can be further categorized into structured, semistructured, and unstructured decisions. The article provides examples of FMS decision in each of nine groups and show that use of DSS&ES can be productive.Illustrative cases are categorized into (1) DSS in FMS, (2) DSS in related manufacturing operations, (3) ES in FMS, and (4) ES in related manufacturing operations. The cases described include ICAM, REACT, KEE, PADMS, IMS, FADES, GARI, TOM, ISIS, and GENPLAN.The article finally provides hints for successful DSS and ES implementation. Subjects include getting management involved, choosing a key application, manage vendor involvement, paying attention to maintenance, assigning qualified personnel, paying attention to training, and always reviewing the results.FMS is basically a computer-based system and so are DSS and ES. There is an increased trend of integrating independent computer-based systems to take advantage of the possible synergy of such integration. At present, there is only a little evidence of DSS and/or ES applications in FMS. However, there is increasing evidence of applications in related manufacturing areas. Furthermore, the planning and operations of FMS require considerable expertise; DSS and ES techniques are aimed at supporting or even replacing such expertise. Therefore, it seems that there is a considerable potential for further application of DSS and ES in FMS. |
