Question

Think of a unique Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) of your choice. Comprehensively discuss it (in a way of marketing it) guided but not limited to the following points. Illustrate your answer. (20)

 Its role and capabilities

 Tests of flexibility

 Its components including (human resources, number of machines, material handling systems e.tc)

 Layout configuration

 Part handling

 Benefits

 etc

Answer 1

Introduction-

What is FMS- Fms refers to meeting customized production requirement. It main aim includes to achieve efficiency of well balanced transfer line while retaining the flexibility of the job. A Flexible Manufacturing System has four or more processing system connected mechanically by a common handling system. It covers wide manufacturing activities that includes welding, sheet metal working,fabricating, scheduling, machinery, assembly etc.

Role and capabilities-

The following are the roles and capabilities of FMS-

a- Help managing manufacturing resources that includes time and efforts in order to manufacture new product.

b- Helps to improve the overall productivity thus by increasing the production efficiency.

c-It capabilities includes- Material handling and storage system.

d- Quick changeover of physical setup.

e- Changeover of operating instruction.

f- It ability to identify and distinguish between different parts style processed by the system

Test of Flexibility-

The Flexibilty of FMS is divided into two basic categories i.e- machine flexibility which refers to the ability to generate new products and the ability to change the way the operations are executed and next one is routing flexibility which refers to the systems ability to use two or more machines to perform the same task that result in increase in volume production.

Componenrs of FMS- the following basic component it includes-

1- Material handling system- Material handling system functions includes independent movement of workparts between station, the handling of variety of workpart configuration, the provision of temporary storage, creation of compatability with computer control system.

2- Human resources- As one of the main component of FMS as it play a lead role in the overall operation and working of machinery and carrying out its various operation .

3- Workstations- It includes-

a- Load/unload refers to the physical interface between FMS and the rest of the factory its the place for the raw parts to enter the system and the finshed parts or product exit the system.

b- Machining- Here the common application of FMS occurs these includes CNC tools with automatic changing and tool storage feature to facilitates quick physical changeover.

Layout Configuration- The layout configuration includes-

1- Ladder- It consist of a loop with a rungs on which workstation are based, the rungs suggest the number of possible ways to move from one machinery to another also reduces average travelled distance by minimizing congestion in the handling system

2- Open Field - It consist of multiple loops and ladders, it is basically used to process parts of large families, in this the number of machines types may be limited and parts are usually routed to different workstation depending on its availability.

3- Loop- Here workstation are organised in a loop that is served by a loop part handling system. Each station has secondary handling equipment so that parts can be brought to and transfered from the station workhead to material handling loop

Part Handling System-

Machining centers can be ordered with automatic pallet changer that can be readily interfaced with the FMS part handling system. Machining centers are generally used for non-rotational parts and for rotational parts turning centers are used.

Benefits- Some of the main advantages of FMS includes the following-

• Reduced cost of manufacturing.
• Increased labour productivity.
• reduced lead time.
• Increased system reliability.
• Increased rate of production.