Purpose

The objective of this study is to propose a sequence of implementation of the core characteristics of reconfigurability: modularity, integrability, diagnosability, adaptability and customization. For this purpose, the relationships among the core characteristics and Industry 4.0 technologies are analyzed as well as the impacts of one core characteristic on another.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presented tests and validated two hypothesized models based on the literature. This paper was based on a questionnaire survey. Portuguese manufacturing companies were the sampling frame. In total, 600 questionnaires were distributed and a total of 112 responses were eligible for statistical processing, representing a response rate of 18.7%. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to hypothesize the sequence of implementation of the core characteristics of reconfigurability.

Findings

The findings presented a roadmap to implement reconfigurability, which implies significant managerial contributions on how to make the transition from conventional to reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMSs). This highlights the importance of the sequence of implementation of the core characteristics in order to make the most of each to achieve reconfigurability.

Originality/value

Implementing reconfigurability is crucial to manufacturing companies to respond to changes in production requirements and market fluctuations quickly. However, there is a gap between theory and practice in regard to achieve reconfigurability in existing manufacturing systems. This gap includes (1) understanding the type of relationships among the core characteristics of reconfigurability, (2) understanding the influence that one core characteristic has on another and (3) establishing a sequence of implementation for the core characteristics. This study makes a contribution to fill this gap in the research area.

中文翻译：

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制造系统中可重配置核心特征的实现顺序

目的

这项研究的目的是提出一系列可重构性核心特征的实施方案：模块化，可集成性，可诊断性，适应性和定制性。为此，分析了核心特征与工业4.0技术之间的关系，以及一个核心特征对另一个核心特征的影响。

设计/方法/方法

这项研究提出了测试，并根据文献验证了两个假设的模型。本文基于问卷调查。葡萄牙制造公司是抽样框架。总共分发了600份问卷，共有112份答复符合统计处理的要求，答复率为18.7％。使用结构方程模型（SEM）来假设可重构性核心特征的实现顺序。

发现

调查结果提出了实施可重构性的路线图，这意味着在管理上如何从传统制造系统过渡到可重构制造系统（RMS）做出了重大贡献。这凸显了实现核心特性顺序的重要性，以便充分利用每个特性来实现可重构性。

创意/价值

实施可重构性对于制造公司快速响应生产要求的变化和市场波动至关重要。但是，在实现现有制造系统中的可重构性方面，理论与实践之间存在差距。这个差距包括（1）了解可重构性核心特征之间的关系类型，（2）了解一个核心特征对另一核心特征的影响，以及（3）为核心特征建立一个实现顺序。这项研究为填补研究领域的空白做出了贡献。