Communication: Flexible production systems for the apparel and metal‐working industries: a contrast study on technologies and contributions

The purpose of this paper is to perform a contrast study on the technologies and contributions of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) being in use in apparel and metal cutting/removal industries. Some significant differences in the technologies and operational characteristics of existing FMS in the soft‐goods apparel industry and in the hard‐goods metal working industry are identified. Detailed discussions on interesting comparable contributions of FMS at various dimensions such as quality, productivity, flexibility, etc., are also presented. Recommendations for future research are also provided.