New methodologies to measure product technological complexity for manufacturing optimization

An effective technological complexity measure is sought to support designers and production managers activities. Different methods have been proposed but it still doesn't exist an universally recognized one. Once a technological complexity index is defined, it can be possible to check the product feasibility in relation to the available manufacturing technologies and to optimize design and production operations. In case of an international network production, where the selection of “the right plant for the right product” is a strategic point, this index is particularly useful. Interviews are an effective method to evaluate complexity. In the present work a new original questionnaire is proposed as a tool to define a technological complexity index. Interviews to production operators concerning some mechanical components have allowed to calculate their technological complexity indexes. Results obtained through the questionnaire have been compared with the ones derived from a completely different methodology (heuristic equation) obtaining high convergence.