16.A. INTRODUCTION

This chapter deals with assembly system design. ^[1] It lays out the basic issues, the choices that system designers must make, and some approaches to making these choices systematically. The topics in this chapter are generic to most manufacturing systems, although the emphasis here is on assembly. Here we will discuss the basic decisions that need to be made, take a look at different kinds of assembly equipment and methods, describe two system design techniques, and study some examples from industry that cover a range of products and assembly methods. The next two chapters deal with workstation design and economic analysis.

Manufacturing system design is not a science, even though several aspects of it are supported by well-developed computer aids. There is still a great deal that is subject to expert judgment, arbitrary decisions, and lack of information about future conditions that the system may face. No design can cope with all future events and still retain adequate efficiency. No single technology can do all jobs, much less all jobs well.

For these reasons, our approach to system design emphasizes careful specification of the information needed for good design decisions. It also encourages the development of hybrid systems made up of suitable mixes of specialized or fixed automation, flexible automation, and people. Even though we present the topics in a particular sequence, it should be kept in mind that the actual process is highly iterative.