FMS_WhatIsIt

8/2/2019 FMS_WhatIsIt

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Flexible Manufacturing Systems:an Overview

Department of Aviation and Technology

College of Engineering

San Jose State University


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Flexible Manufacturing Systems Overview

What is an FMS?

Highly automated GT (grouptechnology) machine cell.

Consists of: a group of processing workstations

Interconnected by

an automated material handling andstorage system

Controlled by a distributed computer system


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What Makes it Flexible?

the ability to identify and distinguish amongthe different part or product styles processed

by the system

quick changeover of operating instructions

quick changeover of physical setup


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Is it a Flexible Cell?


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Tests of Flexibility

Part variety test Process of different part styles

Schedule change test Acceptance of changes in production schedule and

quantities

Error recovery test Recovery from equipment breakdowns

New part test Incorporation of new parts into existing product


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Types of FMS ~ Types of Flexibility

Machine flexibil it y Capability to adapt a

given machine to avariety of operations andpart styles

Product ion f lexibil i t y Range of part styles

Mix f lexibi l i t y

Produce same parts indifferent proportions

Product flexibil i t y Introduction of new

products

Rout ing flexibil i t y

Capacity to produce partsin alternate sequences

Volume f lexibil i t y

Production of high andlow quantities

Expansion flexibil it y

Expand to increase totalproduction


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Rationale for FMS

Companies want groups of machine tools that will

make up a system that can operate continuously andwith minimal attention from human labor

Looking for a more flexible, cost-efficient means ofmanufacturing

Need consistency in production, concurrent with anability to produce a variety of parts


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Pioneers in FMS use

I n t he Unit ed States:

Ingersoll-Rand Co.

Caterpillar

John DeereGeneral Electric Co.

Around t he World:

Germany

Russia

Japan Fuji Xerox


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FMS Components

Material Handling and Storage System

Programming Language and Network

Infrastructure

Workstations

Human labor


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Material Handling and StorageSystem

Functions:

Movement of work-partsbetween stations

Handle configurations Temporary storage

Access for loading and

unloading Compatible with

computer control

Functions are sharedbetween two systems:

Primary handling system

Secondary handlingsystem


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Programming Language and

Network InfrastructureUsed for computer control of system

Links system components AND controls themAllows the system to perform the following operationsautomatically or semi-automatically: Workstation control

Distribution of control instructions

Production control

Traffic control

Shuttle control Workpiece monitoring

Tool control

Performance monitoring

diagnostics


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Workstations

Load/unload stations

Physical interfacebetween the FMSand the entire

company

Machining Stations CNC machine tools

Processing stations

Pressworkingoperations

Assembly Replace or reduce

substantially the

need for manuallabor


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FMS Benefits

Economic Benefits

Reduced direct laborrequirements

Fewer machinesrequired

Operating time

Productivity Benefits Increased machine

utilization

Reduction in factory

floor space Higher labor

productivity

Unattendedproduction andreduced manpowerneeds


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FMS Implementation

Planning and Design Issues

Part family (GT) considerations

Processing requirements

Physical characteristics

Production volume

Types of workstations FMS layout (cell and facility design and

planning)


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FMS implementation Operational Issues

Scheduling

Machine loading

Part routing Part grouping

Tool management

Pallet and fixture allocation


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Conclusions

FMS can be designed to specifically meet theneeds of each particular company

FMS made up of various different techniques

FMS is inherently flexible adaptable tochanging production needs

FMS requires a substantial investment of bothtime and resources

Documents

FMS_WhatIsIt