Flexible Manufacturing System

• Avinash Phatangare
• Amol Mundhe
• Sunil Shelke
Content List
• 1. Introduction to Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS).
• 2. Components of FMS.
• 3. Objectives of FMS.
• 4. Flexibilities in FMS.
• 5. Classification of FMS.
• 6. Advantages, Limitations & Applications of FMS.
1. Introduction to Flexible Manufacturing System
(FMS).
• Flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is a highly automated group
technology machine cell :
1.Consist group of workstations (CNC machines or CNC machining centers)
2. Interconnected by an automated material handling and storage system
3. Controlled be a computer system.
• Basic features of Flexible Manufacturing system (FMS):
1. Ability to manufacture variety of products;
2. Setup & processes are programmable as per requirement of part;
3. Less manufacturing lead time;
4. High quality
5.Low cost
Components of Flexible Manufacturing System
(FMS) Storage System
Any flexible manufacturing system consists of
four basic components:
1. Workstations
2. Material Handling & Storage system
3. Computer control system
4. Human Resource
1. Workstation :-
• It is the main element of FMS
• May contain one or more workstations : CNC machine, CNC press, Industrial robots etc.

2. Material Handling & Storage system :-

• The second major element of flexible manufacturing system is material handling and storage system
• Functions, performed by material handling system : Movement of work piece between stations, locating
the work piece, temporary storage of work piece, Loading and unloading of work piece.
• Functions performed by storage system : Storage of raw material and finish products.
3. Computer control system :-
• It is the Brain of FMS. `
• It is interfaced with workstations, Material handling system & Storage system.

4. Human Resource :-
• It is needed to manage the operations of FMS.
• Functions performed : Loading of raw material into the system, Unloading of finished parts, Changing
and setting of tools, Programming and operating the system, Maintenance of system and overall
management of the system.
Types of Flexible Manufacturing System
Classification of FMS Based on Number of
Machines :
• 1. Flexible Manufacturing Module (FMM) :
• The FMM module consists of :
(1) One workstation ( CNC machine or CNC machining center ), (2) Material Handling system, and (3)
Computer control system.
• FMM is the simplest form of FMS. The FMM is capable of Manufacturing parts of different design.
2. Flexible Manufacturing Cell (FMC) :
• The FMC module consists of : (1) 2 or 3 workstations, (2) Material Handling system, and storage
system (3) Computer control system.
3. Flexible Manufacturing system (FMS) :
• The FMC module consists of : (1) 4 or more workstations, (2) Material Handling system, and
storage system (3) Computer control system.
• The computer control system is generally larger and more sophisticated than that of FMM and
FMC.
• The computer control system of FMS contains like : tool monitoring & diagnostics, which are not
always found in computer control system of FMC.
Classification of FMS Based on Flexibility of
system:
1. Dedicated or Special FMS :
• Dedicated or special FMS is one which is designed to produce a limited varity of configurations.
• The designed parts to be manufactured is known in advance. Therefore, the system can be
designed with a certain amount of process specialization to make machining operation more
efficient.

2. Random – Order FMS :

• Random order FMS is used when the part family is large and there are substantial variation in
part configuration. It is a flexible manufacturing system with unlimited flexibility.
Classification of FMS Based on Type of Layout
:
• 1. Inline Layout Type (FMS) :.
• In inline layout type FMS, the workstation are arranged in a straight line. The part flow only in
one direction and that too in a straight line.
• It is the simplest form of layout and simplifies the material handling system.
2.Rotary Layout Type (FMS) :
• In Rotary layout type FMS, the workstation are arranged in a circle.
• The arrangement is compact and it also simplifies the material handling system.
3. Rectangular Layout Type (FMS) :
• It is the modification of inline layout.
4. Ladder Layout Type (FMS) :
• The workstation are arranged in the form of rungs of a ladder.
• The rungs increases the possible ways of getting from one machine to the next. This reduces the
transport time between workstations.
5. Loop Layout Type (FMS) :
• In Rotary layout type FMS, the workstation are arranged in a loop. • The material
handling and unloading stations are located at one end of the loop.
Advantages & Limitations & Applications of
FMS :
Advantages Limitations
• Increased machine utilization. • High initial cost.
• Lesser no. of machines required. • High maintenance cost.
• Reduction in floor space requirement. • Worker unemployment.

• Greater Flexibility. Applications :

• Reduction in inventory. The flexible Manufacturing system is used for
the products of medium quantity and medium
• Lower manufacturing lead time. variety
• Reduced labour requirement