The main aim of the article is to develop a simulation model of flexible manufacturing

system with applying the ontology on flexibility. Designing manufacturing systems matching

both production and market requirements becomes more and more challenging due to the

variability of demand for a large number of products made in many variants and short

lead times. Manufacturing flexibility is widely recognised as a proven solution to achieve

and maintain both the strategical and operational goals of the companies exposed to global

competition. Generic simulation model of flexible manufacturing system was developed using

FlexSimr 3D software, then the example data were used to demonstrate the developed model

applicability. “The Ontology on Flexibility” was applied for evaluation of achieved flexibility

of manufacturing system.

Today’s manufacturing environment is highly uncertain, and it is continuously changing. It

is characterized by shorter life cycles of products and technologies, shorter delivery times, an

increased level of customization at the price of a standard product, increased product variety,

quality as well as demand variability and intense global competition. Academicians, as well as

practitioners, agree that uncertainty will continue to grow in the twenty-first century. To deal

with the uncertainties in demand variation and production capacity a manufacturing system

is required which can be easily reconfigured when there is a need at low cost. A reconfigurable

manufacturing system is such a type of system.

In the present work, the concept of the reconfigurable manufacturing system has been discussed

and reviewed. It has been compared with dedicated systems and flexible manufacturing

systems. Part family formation and barriers of reconfiguration also have been discussed.

This work is an attempt to contribute to the conceptual systematization of the reconfigurable

manufacturing system and reconfigurability by synthesizing the vast literature available after

a systematic review.