Which manufacturing strategy focuses on flexibility and automation in producing a family of parts?

The focus on flexibility and automation in producing a family of parts is a hallmark of a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS). This strategy allows manufacturers to efficiently produce a variety of products without the need for extensive reconfiguration of equipment. In an FMS, machines and tools are integrated with computer systems to control processes, enabling quick adaptations to changes in production demands or product designs.

Flexible Manufacturing Systems are designed to handle different types of products using the same machinery, making them ideal for environments where product variety is common and demand may fluctuate. This flexibility helps companies respond rapidly to market changes, reduce lead times, and optimize resource use, which is essential in manufacturing industries that require a responsiveness to customer needs.

While mass production focuses on producing large quantities of a single product, and lean manufacturing emphasizes waste reduction and efficiency, those approaches do not prioritize the same level of flexibility across various product types that an FMS offers. Concurrent engineering, on the other hand, is more about integrating design and manufacturing phases to optimize product development rather than the flexibility of part production. Thus, the Flexible Manufacturing System clearly stands out as the strategy that embodies automation and flexibility for a range of parts.