Adaptability
Glossary Page
This term refers to the ability of a system to perform a specific task, which may be a production step or operation. The term "adaptability" describes the different ways in which a system can be modified or adjusted to perform a task. There are three main types of adaptability: Reconfiguration: This involves activating a known production module or switching to a different tool to execute a task that has been executed before. In modular production systems, this may involve integrating a temporarily deactivated module or enabling plug and play capabilities. Adaptation: This refers to the ability of a system to perform a task that it has not performed before, but has the physical capability to do so. A solution must be found, often through a problem-solving or learning algorithm, that enables the system to execute the task. Adaptation with system extension: If the system does not have the physical capabilities to perform a task or lacks sufficient capability, an extension of the system may be necessary. This may involve adding a new module or enabling new capabilities through new tooling. It is important to distinguish between the different types of adaptation capabilities, as the scope of the adaptations and the tools required to achieve them vary widely.
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