Matrix production systems - Requirements and influences on logistics planning for decentralized production structures

In the context of the digital transformation of industry and within the framework of Industrie 4.0 and Factory Planning 4.0, new production-organizational principles with decentralized, modular and freely linked production cells are increasingly being discussed. The principle of matrix production with categorized and standardized workstations offers an extremely versatile production environment. It can be used to meet the challenge of an increasing number of product variants in variable quantities. This concept is predominantly considered from a theoretical point of view. Therefore, many aspects regarding the planning and operation of such systems are still up to debate. With the focus on logistics processes, this paper describes the requirements for such flexible, dynamic routing and self-organizing resources in material supply. Furthermore, they are investigated in a generic, conceptual model for a matrix production. Based on a reference scenario from the automotive i ndustry, classical parameters from logistics and production organization are taken up. The influences with regard to decentralized material supply concepts and structural differences to flow production are shown by the results of simulation experiments with the generic model.