A petri-net model for scalable systems with variable stages based on changing product demands

Swift and sustainable change in production throughput is considered an invaluable attribute for manufacturing systems. Effective models for these scalable systems allows manufacturing enterprises to develop systems that provide upgradability as well as capability to maintain its current throughput. In order to achieve this, the system must be designed to support future expansions in the production capacity as and when needed by the market. Our aim is to provide a Petri-net model that minimizes ramp up requirements and simplifies the system transition after the change in throughput has been proposed. The proposed model is applied to an industrial case study to show the capability and advantage of replacing traditional approach with a more graphical one. The model can act as an aid for designers to plan and cater for the requirements of the emerging manufacturing market. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.