Mass Customisation
Future Manufacturing Requirements

Mass Customisation is the customisation and personalisation of products and services for individual customers at a mass production price.

The theory is based upon manufacturing products for each individuals needs at an affordable cost. It is clear that the needs of the customer will constantly change and the manufacturing process will require flexibility in its design and operation in order to serve the demand. This will not only require flexible and highly automated machine but also the ability to be modified and adapted by the user as part of their continual improvement strategy. By also linking data between the machines, the manufacturer is now in a position to control material flow etc and is following a "lean manufacturing philosophy". Newer automation systems have the capability of controlling drives and servo control systems so that the machine specification can be adapted via software at a much lower cost than replacing the whole system. SMS proven this concept on numerous occasions.

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