Contents

Senior Year Design Project Title:.................................................................................3

Objective.................................................................................................................... 3
Overview.................................................................................................................... 3
Advantages & Disadvantages of FMC Utilization:.......................................................4
Our Target Approach:.................................................................................................. 4
Possible Choices of Conveyor belt Designs:................................................................5
Dimensional Drawing (Proposed):............................................................................... 6
Work Distribution (Gantt Chart):.................................................................................7

Senior Year Design Project Title:

Design and development of Flexible Manufacturing Cell (FMC)

Objective:
To design and development a FMC for modern day industry which meets the required set of
constraints while having an insight to the three basic machines CNC Lathe, Milling & Engraving
and achieving the goal of connecting them with compatible conveyer belt.

Overview:
A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is a manufacturing system in which there is some
amount of flexibility that allows the system to react in case of changes, whether predicted or
unpredicted. This flexibility is generally considered to fall into two categories, which both
contain numerous subcategories.
The first category, machine flexibility, covers the system's ability to be changed to produce new
product types, and ability to change the order of operations executed on a part. The second
category is called routing flexibility, which consists of the ability to use multiple machines to
perform the same operation on a part, as well as the system's ability to absorb large-scale
changes, such as in volume, capacity, or capability.
Most FMS consist of three main systems. The work machines which are often automated CNC
machines are connected by a material handling system to optimize parts flow and the central
control computer which controls material movements and machine flow.

Flexibility

Routine

Machine

Figure 1.1

Replacing dedicated machine-oriented production technology with the use of flexible

manufacturing systems (FMS) has been considered as an alternative to handle product
complexity and process flexibility. For most companies, however, an FMS implementation is
prohibitive owing to the large one-time capital investment required for purchase and installation
of equipment and other resources, and the potential risks associated with the justification and

management of a new manufacturing systems. The approach many companies are evaluating is a
scaled
Advantages

Disadvantages

Initial set-up cost is high,

Substantial pre-planning

Reduced manufacturing cost

Lower cost per unit
produced,

Greater labour productivity,

Greater machine efficiency,

Requirement of skilled
labour
Complicated system

transition from a conventional dedicated job-shop system to an FMS via phased implementation
of flexible manufacturing cells (FMCs).

Advantages & Disadvantages of FMC Utilization:

Our Target Approach:

For superior quality design and development following is the approach which is explained in WBS
(Work Breakdown Structure).

Upgradation of CNC machines

FMC Layout

Design of Conveyor System

Fabrication of Convey System

Programming for MMI

Development of HCI

Possible Choices of Conveyor belt Designs:

Since one single robot would be employed to control the movement of work piece, there are two
possible choice for the conveyor belt design. The first design consists of a straight conveyor belt with
all the three machines (i.e. lathe, milling & engraving) in line on one side of belt and robot on the
other hand. The second design consists of robot placed in centre of a cube and three machine on its
respective sides. The former layout simplifies the design with a straight conveyor belt while the later
requires three belt portions with turns at ends. The basic CAD models are shown below in Figure
1.2a & b.

Figure 1.2b Revolute Robot in Centre (Design-II)

Figure 1.2a Revolute Robot along straight conveyor (Design-I)

Dimensional Drawing (Proposed):

After taking measurements in the Laboratory of the three machines following dimensions have been
chalked out for feasible development of the product. However certain changes would depend upon
calculations of the most suitable conveyor belt design.

Work Distribution (Gantt Chart):