An integrated analysis of flexible assembly systems

Abstract

An attempt to define the requirements for a flexible automated assembly system is discussed. The system's flexibility is a structural characteristic that depends on the physical design of the system and the product. The author addresses three critical questions: (i) what is flexible assembly, (ii) what is design for assembly, and (iii) how is it possible to economically analyze assembly lines? The mathematical modeling and a detailed analysis using industrial robots are also introduced.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>