Reports on a study of the use of flexible manufacturing systems in three strategic business units over a period of six years. Describes each SBU′s manufacturing technology strategy and contrasts it with tactical measures of actual operations to gain insight into the role of manufacturing...

Presents eight guidelines to help managers better utilize their flexible manufacturing technology (FMT). Suggests changes in the operator′s role, the production planning system and the integration of departments. The conclusions are based primarily on an in‐depth study of six companies using...

This paper presents the results of a case/simulation study that evaluated a number of potential maintenance policies for a flexible manufacturing system (FMS). Empirical data were used to structure the operation of the FMS, and to simulate its failures and repairs on the shop floor. Five...