Robustness analysis of smart manufacturing systems against resource failures: A two-layered network perspective

Abstract

Complex and changing environments often cause resource failures in smart manufacturing systems (SMSs), significantly affecting their robustness. This paper introduces a novel methodology to assess the robustness of SMSs facing resource failures, using a complex network approach. It divides SMSs into social and technical layers, analyzes resources and relationships within and between these layers, and establishes a two-layered network model. It also categorizes various types of failures and proposes three robustness metrics to evaluate system performance at individual, local, and global levels. Simulations visually demonstrate the methodology and key findings: (1) the robust-but-fragile trait of SMSs only reacts to node failures and keeps significant in terms of the gradient of robustness; (2) there exists no edge failure that keeps damaging system robustness to the maximal or minimal degrees, and edge failures cause less damage to system robustness than node failures; (3) when failures occur, SMS robustness at all levels changes with inconsistent paces, and the optimal link mode varies by network structures and failure strategies. Finally, managerial implications are presented to guide practical robustness control at different stages of SMS lifecycles.