FMS Flashcards
FMS - Flexible Manufacturing System
-Integration of all major elements of manufacturing into a highly automated system.
- Manufacturing cells/workstations
- Automated material handling, transport & storage system
- Control system interfaced by a central computer
Cellular Manufacturing
-Flexibility to produce a high variety of low demand products.
Types of FMS
-Single machine manufacturing cell
Applications of FMS
- Conventional job shop
- Stand-alone NC production
- Manufacturing cell
- Flexible manufacturing system
- Flexible manufacturing line
- Conventional flow line
- Transfer line
Issues with FMS
- High capital investment required
- Extensive computerisation can lead to confusion & inefficiency
- Proper process planning & scheduling is paramount
- Management of FMS requires skilled workforce (extensive training requirement).
Experience with FMS
- Consensus from many companies in industry
- More often than not a smaller, simpler, modular & less expensive system is more cost-effective
- Flexible Manufacturing cells & stand-alone machining centres are easier to control than FMS.
The New Manufacturing Enterprise Wheel
-CIM is the integration of total manufacturing enterprise by using integrated systems & data communication coupled with new managerial philosophies that improve organisational & personnel efficiency.
Customer
-Plays a central role with evolving customer needs.
People, Teamwork, Organisation
-Ensures teamwork & co-operation by organising, hiring, training, motivating & communicating.
Shared Knowledge & Systems
-Focus on corporate knowledge, systems, and common data to support people and processes.
Key Processes
-15 key processes from product definition through manufacturing & customer support
Resources & Responsibilities
- Resources - inputs
- Responsibility - obligations
Manufacturing Infrastruture
-Suppliers, competitors, distributors, financial markets, communities, governments, educational & research facilities.
