Search

The present study addresses integrated manufacturing information systems (IMIS) and highlights importance of realizing 'adaptability' and 'reconfigurability' characteristics in the system architecture of IMISs, where engineering design for system adaptability is interested. This study develops a matrix-based probabilistic definition for the manufacturing information system (MIS) reconfigurability and proposes modularization of physical architecture of the system as an effective design solution for fulfilling system reconfigurability and adaptability requirements. To modularize the physical architecture, Design Structure Matrix (DSM) method is employed. Moreover, information axiom of Axiomatic Design (AD) theory is also utilized to develop helpful indicators for evaluating the adaptability characteristic for the architecture and support engineering designers to make sound decisions in design for adaptability. To verify the developed methodology, the MIS in a real case (Barez Industrial Group in Iran) is addressed and design of the physical architecture for this system is studied. A new optimally modularized design for the physical architecture of the MIS of interest is finally presented and examined. Results of the indicators reflecting reconfigurability and adaptability of the architecture indicate that the new proposed design of the concerned MIS is highly capable of coping with the rapidly changing manufacturing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve a good architecture for information flow in a contract capable of withstanding environmental disruptive events, the present study employs systems engineering approaches and proposes a reliable design for the architecture by modularising the concerned architecture. The study argues that the 'modularisation' can avoid propagation of damage(s) from one component to another. The authors present a methodology for designing a reliable architecture for information flow in a contract by utilizing design structure matrix (DSM) methodology and axiomatic design theory (ADT). Results from the application of the method showed that modularisation was increased and the overall reliability was significantly enhanced [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]