Abstract
In this paper we present a taxonomy of manufacturing problems, labeled in a general sense as Design, Production, or Distribution problems. One or more basic systems concepts, such as complexity and adaptation, attach themselves to each such problems. By combining the hierarchical Design—Production—Distribution idea with system concepts, we establish the fact that there is, indeed, a significant systems component to most problems of modern manufacturing.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
N. Assimakopoylos, “The routing and cost of the information flow in a System.” Systems Practice 1(3), pp. 297–303, 1988.
N. Assimakopoulos. “Asystems approach for hierarchically organized systems.” Analyse de System 18(3-4), pp. 3–13, 1992.
E. Bloch, “Workplace of the future.” lEEE Transactions on Industry Applications IA(20), pp. 8–10, 1984.
J. Browne, et al., “Classification of flexible manufacturing systems,” in Manufacturing Systems: Context, Applications, and Techniques, V. Vignell (ed.), Blackwell: Oxford, 1985.
J. Hatvany, et al., “The computer-controlled manufacturing cell-Achievements, possibilities, and perspective,” in Proceedings of 9th IFAC Congress, Budapest, 1984.
R. May, 1973. Stability and Complexity in Model Ecosystems. Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ, 1973.
A. Panayotopoulos, and N. Assimakopoulos, “Problem structuring in a hospital.” European J. of Operational Research 29, pp. 135–143, 1987.
R. Rosen, 1978. Fundamentals of Measurement and Representation of Natural Systems. North-Holland: New York, 1978.
J. Solberg, et al., “Factories of the future: Defining the target,” CIDMAC Report, Computer Integrated Design Manufacturing and Automation Center, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN, January 1985.
N. P. Suh, “The future of the factory.” Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing 1, pp. 39–49, 1984.
H. Yoshikawa, K. Rathmill, and J. Hatvany, 1982. Computer-Aided Manufacturing: An International Comparison. National Academy Press: National Research Council, Washington, DC, 1982.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Assimakopoulos, N.A. System Thoughts in Manufacturing. Journal of Systems Integration 9, 167–185 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008422627181
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008422627181