Abstract
To produce a high-quality product at the lowest possible price as quickly as possible, is certainly one of the biggest challenges of a manufacturing organization. In addition, supplier constraints and changes in the law for example makes it necessary for these enterprises to adapt continuously their manufacturing and assembly operations. The customization of products is increasing, and at same time, concepts of series and mass production are declining. This motivate large enterprises but also small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to apply concepts of flexible and agile manufacturing and assembly systems to remain competitive and to react quickly to market changes and consumers’ preferences. The aim of this research is to develop a systematically design approach for such systems focusing on SME requirements which were carried out by a questionnaire survey of a sample of several manufacturing SMEs in Italy. Based on the survey results, Customer Attributes (CAs) are identified and then translated in Functional Requirements (FRs). Subsequently these FRs will be deduced into generally applicable Design Parameters (DPs) for supporting the design of flexible and changeable manufacturing and assembly systems for SMEs and to apply finally these design guidelines in a case study.