Evaluating manufacturing systems robustness: an aerospace case study

Abstract

The scope of this work is the quantification of manufacturing systems robustness. Initially the concept of robustness is discussed and then a robustness definition & a metric are introduced. A framework that combines discrete event simulation and statistical analysis is also suggested for the evaluation of robustness. The efficacy of the metric and the framework are illustrated with a case study of a low–volume mixed-model production line that stems from aerospace industry. A set of scenarios are defined where the effect of different sources of disturbances on flowtime and tardiness robustness is quantified.