Components of Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Components of Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Components of Flexible Manufacturing Systems - An FMS has four major components:

1. Machine tools

2. Control system

3. Materials handling system

4. Human operators.

1. Machine Tools

A flexible manufacturing system uses the same types of machine tools as any other manufacturing system, be it automated or manually operated. These include lathes, mils, drills, 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.

FM System

2. Control Systems

The control system for an FMS serves a number of different control functions for the system:

1. Storage and distribution of part programs

2. Work flow control and monitoring

3. Production control

4. system/tool control/monitoring.

The control system of an FMS accepts, stores, and distributes parts programs. These are the CNC programs that guide the operation of individual machines and workstations within the system in performing the turning, cutting, drilling and other processes necessary to produce parts.

Regulating the flow of work pieces from station to station for both primary and secondary materials handling systems and monitoring the locations of workpieces within the system are important control tasks. Different parts must be directed to different workstations in the most efficient order. Different parts require different speeds and feed rates. These types of production-oriented controls represent another important control function in FMS.

The overall system must be monitored and controlled as must individual tools within it. The control system must continually collect and store data that can periodically be output in the form of performance reports.

The wear on individual tools should be monitored continually so that worn tools can be changed as needed and reports on the projected versus actual lives of tools can be produced. These are important functions of the control system.

3. Materials Handling System

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 workpieces mounted on pallets and moving them from workstation to workstation as needed. It must also be able to place workpieces "on hold" as they wait to be processed at a given workstation.

The materials handling system must be able to unload a workpiece 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 (AVGs) as a principal means of materials handling. FMS that uses AGVs for materials handling. Component 3 is an AGV used to move material from station to station. This system has eight main components.

4. Human Operators

The final component in an FMS is the human component. Although flexible manufacturing as a concept decreases the amount of human involvement in manufacturing, it does not eliminate it completely. Further, the roles humans play in flexible manufacturing are critical roles.