Ex.5 Read the text. Find the definitions of the FMS

A Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) is the current level of automation in the field of manufacturing. The application of FMS requires advanced technical know-how.

A Flexible Manufacturing System may be defined as a system dealing with high level distributed data processing and automated material flow using computer-controlled machines, cells, industrial robots, inspection machines and so on, together with computer integrated materials handling and storage systems.

Here manufacturing is considered to be a system which integrates different processes and requires a properly defined input to create the expected output.

Input may be raw material and/or data which have to be processed using various auxiliary components of the system, such as tools, fixtures and clamping devices, sensors and their feedback data. The output may also be data and/or material which can be processed on further units (often called cells) of the manufactur­ing system.

An FMS can also be defined as a computer-controlled configuration of semi-independent work stations and a material handling system designed to efficiently manufacture more than one kind of part number at low to medium volumes. The definition highlights the three essential physical components of an FMS:

a) standard numerically controlled machine tools;

b) a conveyance network to move parts and perhaps tools between machines and fixturing stations;

c) an overall control system that coordinates the machine tools, the parts and the workpieces.

The number of machines in a system typically ranges from 2 to 20 or more. The conveyance system may consist of carousels, conveyors, carts, robots, automated guided vehicles, etc.

The FMS can be thought of as a distributed management information system linking together intelligent subsystems of machining, welding, painting, flame cutting, sheet metal manufacturing, inspection, assembly, etc. and material handling and storage processes.

Flexible manufacturing systems are regarded by many experts as being the best way to meet the demands of industry. They consider the FMS to be the future of the automated factory, or at least the minimally manned factory. And perhaps most significant that FMS is clearly the most obvious manifestation of computer-inte­grated manufacturing on the factory floor.

So it is possible to say that the FMS is of interest to manufac­turers who produce more than one kind of part number at low to medium volumes. The FMSs provide a direct hardware/software solution to many economical and technical problems. The important aspect of these systems is that the machine tools, conveyance and control devices combine to achieve increased productivity and maximum machine utilization without decreasing flexibility.

Notes:

1. semi-independent work station – полузависимые станции (посты)

2. intelligent subsystem – система искусственного интеллекта.