Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Question 1

What are flexible manufacturing systems?

Answer 1

Systems that have been set up to allow a company some degree of flexibility to enable it to react to changes to the manufacturing process

Question 2

Name the 2 types of flexibility in manufacturing

Answer 2

Machine and routing

Question 3

What is machine flexibility?

Answer 3

• Systems ability to change to produce new product types

- Ability to change order of operations

Question 4

What is routing flexibility?

Answer 4

• Ability to use multiple machines

- Ability to absorb changes such as capacity and capability

Question 5

Give 4 advantages of FMS

Answer 5

• Better productivity
• Quicker machinery set-up
• Lower labour costs
• Reduced down time on machinery

Question 6

What is the aim of quick response manufacturing?

Answer 6

Reduce the lead time in all aspects of the manufacturing process

Question 7

What is QRM from the client’s point of view?

Answer 7

Responding rapidly in the designing and making of products that are customised to their needs

Question 8

What is QRM from the company’s point of view?

Answer 8

Geared to the improvement of the quality of the final product and the reduction of costs