The Bio-inspired Changeable Production System – A Stem Cell Approach

Volatility can be addressed through changeability. A new bio-inspired approach based on the stem cell differentiation process is
presented to meet the needs of a changeable production system. Stem cells possess the property of a raw product that can be
processed into various final products. These products are manufactured based on their demand in the same production system
with the same production resources. This paper aims to translate the production system from biology to the real world. It does so
by translating molecules and their biological mechanisms into production resources, information, and transportation pathways.
The paper describes eleven different change scenarios based on Nyhuis' three-axis changeability model, which correspond to
change pathways in the stem cell system and the production system. This model has high potential for use in industry to achieve
a changeable production