A graph-based model for manufacturing complexity

Abstract

This paper presents a graph-based model to measure the relative manufacturing complexity of and the manufacturing similarity of products in job shop manufacturing systems. This model depicts the impact of the complexity factors on the profit realisable from products based on their manufacturing process and required resources/skills. These resources deal with the process required for a component to reach assembly, the process of assembling the components to a whole product. This relative manufacturing complexity measure not only can support assembly and production cost estimation, but also can provide a guideline for creating a product with the most effective balance of manufacturing and assembly. Also, the results of this study can help improve budgeting and resource allocation, and the product life cycle cost estimation for future products. A numerical example is also presented to demonstrate the application of the proposed approach.

Keywords:

• complexity measure
• product complexity
• assembly complexity
• complexity metrics
• manufacturing complexity
• job shop

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their appreciation to anonymous referees for their constructive comments, which enhanced the quality of the paper.