This study aims to provide an analysis of cyber-physical system (CPS)-based lean tools. This study focuses on the identification of lean tools for integration with CPS and analyzes those tools using MCDM (multi-criteria decision-making) approaches.
There exists a need to integrate lean manufacturing with Industry 4.0 technologies. According to literature analysis, CPS is the first stage to implement Industry 4.0 technologies. Based on the extensive study, six CPS-based lean tools, i.e. CPS-based Jidoka system, CPS-based Kanban, CPS-based Andon support system, CPS-based Just-in-time delivery system, CPS-based poka-yoke cell and CPS-based value stream mapping have been considered; then Grey TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) MCDM technique has been applied to rank those tools. These CPS-based lean tools are ranked based on seven performance measures as recognized by academic and industry experts.
The top three CPS-based lean tools are CPS-based Kanban 4.0, CPS-based value stream mapping and CPS-based Just-in-time delivery system have been selected based on the above ranking. The study results have been validated using grey-based approach.
Appropriate criteria to evaluate significant lean tools for integration with CPS are identified, which facilitates managers to assess their current tools and technologies that could be integrated with I4.0, and the implementation of CPS-based lean tools would improve organizational performance.
In the emerging Industry 4.0, integration with advanced technologies provides high degrees of optimization. But there exist challenges for industries to integrate CPS with lean tools; hence, this study attempts to identify and analyze CPS-based lean tools. The lean tools are ranked for integration with CPS, the problem is modeled as MCDM problem, and the obtained results are again validated using grey approach. Prioritizing lean tools for integration with CPS is the original contribution of this study.
