Flexible Manufacturing System Components
The components of an FMS are machine tools, which are usually CNC machine tools that perform machining operations, although other types of automated workstations such as inspection stations are also possible, a material-handling system, such as a conveyor system, which is capable of delivering work parts to any machine in the FMS, and control system that is responsible for communicating NC part programs to each machine and for coordinating the activities of the machines and the material-handling system. In addition, a fourth component of an FMS is human labor.
uses the same types of machine tools as any other manufacturing system, be it Cartier Replica automated or manually operated. These include lathes, mills, saws, and so on. The type of machine tools actually included in an FMS depends on the setting in which the system will be used. Some FMSs are designed to meet a specific, well-defined need. In these cases, the machine tools included in the system will be only those necessary for the planned operations. Such a system would be known as a dedicated system.
In a job shop setting, or any other setting in which the actual application is not known ahead of time or must necessarily include a wide range of possibilities, machines capable of performing at least the standard manufacturing operations would be included. Such systems are known as general-purpose systems.
The automated materials handling system is a fundamental component that helps mold a group of independent CNC machines into a comprehensive FMS. The system must be capable of accepting work pieces mounted on pallets and moving them from workstation to workstation as needed. It must also be able to place work pieces “on hold” as they wait to be processed at a given workstation.
The materials handling system must be able to unload a work piece at one station and load another for transport to the next station. It must accommodate computer control and be completely compatible in that regard with other components in the flexible manufacturing system. Finally, the materials handling system for an FMS must be able to withstand the rigors of a shop environment. Some FMSs are configured with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) as a principal means of materials handling, shown as Fig. The control system for an FMS serves a number of different control functions for the system:
Storage and distribution of part programs;
Work flow control mad monitoring;
Production control;
System/tool control/monitoring.
The final component in an FMS is the human component. Although flexible manufacturing as a concept decreases the amount of human involvement in manufacturing and represents a high level of production automation, it does not eliminate it completely. Further, the roles humans play in flexible manufacturing are critical roles. People are still needed to manage the system, load and unload parts, change tools, and maintain and repair the equipment.
Today’s manufacturing strategy is to seek benefits from flexibility. This is only feasible when a production system is under complete control of FMS technology. Having in mind the Process- Product Matrix you may realize that for an industry it is possible to reach for high flexibility by making innovative technical and organizational efforts. See the Volvo’s process structure that makes cars on movable pallets, rather than an assembly Breitling Replica Watches line. The process gains in flexibility. Also, the Volvo system has more flexibility because it uses multi-skill operators who are not paced by a mechanical line. So we may search for benefits from flexibility on moving to the job shop structures.
Actually, the need is for flexible processes to permit rapid low cost switching from one product line to another. This is possible with flexible workers whose multiple skills would develop the ability to switch easily from one kind of task to another. As main resources, flexible processes and flexible workers would create flexible plants as plants which can adapt to changes in real time, using movable equipment, knockdown walls and easily accessible and re-routable utilities.
• Faster, lower- cost changes from one part to another which will improve capital utilization.
• Lower direct labor cost, due to the reduction in number of workers.
• Reduced inventory, due to the planning and programming precision.
• Consistent and better quality, due to the automated control.
• Lower cost/unit of output, due to the greater productivity using the same number of workers.
• Savings from the indirect labor, from reduced errors, rework, repairs and rejects.