Design methodologies for product oriented manufacturing systems

Abstract

This paper presents a review of design methodologies for production systems, with focus on Product Oriented Manufacturing Systems (POMS). POMS organization is discussed and compared against production systems concepts. The methodologies are described and grouped in three classes: generic, specific and focused, if they provide a generic solution like a product, a tool or a system; only one type of solution, e.g., a production system or guides through a implementation of a particular instance of a production system, e.g., Toyota Production System implementation. The focused class of the methodologies is also divided in two groups: methodologies for designing new production systems, referred as construction methodologies for production systems, and methodologies for reengineering existing systems, referred as improvement methodologies. A better grasp of production systems design needs is given through a brief introduction to the GCD design methodology developed by the authors. Moreover the GCD methodology is put in perspective showing differences and design suitability in relation to the reviewed methodologies.