Advantages and Limitations of Flexible Manufacturing Systems - FMS

Advantages and Limitations of Flexible Manufacturing Systems - FMS

Advantages and Limitations of Flexible Manufacturing Systems - FMS - In manufacturing there have always been trade offs between production rates and flexibility. At one end of the spectrum are transfer lines capable of high production rates, but low flexibility. At the other end of the spectrum are independent CNC machines that offer maximum flexibility, but are only capable of low production rates.

Note from the figure that flexible manufacturing falls in the middle of the continuum. There has always been a need in manufacturing for a system that could produce higher volume and production runs than could independent machines while still maintaining flexibility.

Flexible manufacturing, with its middle ground capabilities, offers a number of advantages for manufacturers:

1. Flexibility within a family of parts

2. Random feeding of parts

3. Simultaneous production of different parts

4. Decreased setup times/lead time

5. Efficient machine usage

6. Decreased direct and indirect labour costs

7. Ability to handle different materials

8. Ability to continue some production if one machine breaks down.

However, FMS may not be the panacea for all manufacturing problems.

FMS systems are:

* complicated to design, and

* Costly to build.