Configuration Flexibility in Large-Scale Material Handling Management Strategies

The word ‘flexibility’ is often used to describe certain types of manufacturing processes. The word has equal value as a descriptor for some material handling management strategies. Furthermore, all that the word implies should be included in design strategies for new material handling systems. In this paper, the author focuses on several aspects of flexibility in material handling system design, with a particular focus on configuration flexibility. Some practical design guidelines are offered, and case studies are presented.