Changing from conveyor to work-cell-based systems to deal with fluctuations in demand

Abstract

As consumption patterns become increasingly sophisticated and manufacturers strive to improve their competitiveness, not only by offering higher quality at competitive costs, but also by providing a broader mix of products and keeping the range attractive by launching successive new products, turbulence in the markets has intensified. This has driven leading manufacturers to research the development of alternative production systems that are supposed to enable them to operate more responsively. This paper discusses the trend of abandoning the strategy of relying on factory automation technologies and conveyor-based assembly lines, and shifting towards more human-centred production systems based on autonomous work-cells. This paper starts with a theoretical review, linking the need to cope with today's market turbulence with the issue of nurturing more agile organizations. A general view of the diffusion trend of work-cell-based assembly systems in various industries is then presented.