BENHA UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Engineering

COMPUTER INTEGRATED
MANUFACTURING (CIM)

Dr. Ashraf HASSAN

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Flexible Manufacturing
Systems (FMS)
 FMS

 Flexibility in manufacturing systems can take the form: the ability

to respond to different volumes and to different types of product.

 FMS means a group of automated machines capable of

processing a variety of products through different process routes
under full computer control.

 The analysis needed to identify parts families is very similar to

the routines for cellular manufacturing.

 It is possible to achieve flexibility without automation.

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 Advantages of FMS

 A wide range of workpieces can be machined

automatically.

 Overall lead times are relatively short.

 Productivity per employee is increased by unattended

operation during night shifts.
 In-process inventory and machining costs are
reduced.
 The system can respond flexibly to changes in
products and production levels.
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 FMS common features

 Interlinked CNC work-stations operating on a

family of workpieces.
 Automatic transportation, loading and
unloading of workpieces.
 workpieces mounted on pallets for
transportation.
 Direct Numerical Control (DNC)
 Operation for significant periods of time with
little or no operator intervention.

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 Examples of Flexible
Manufacturing Systems
(FMS)
Amatrol FMS System
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Denford FMS System
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Ixion FMS System
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Traub self setting turning
cell
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 FMS for the machine industry
1. FMS for small cubic parts

 Small cubic parts are exclusively machined

by horizontal machining centres (HMC).

 An HMC can be incorporated into an FMS by

equipping it with a pallet changer system.

 Functions are: tools and machining data can

be easily changed.

 Fig. Below shows an example.

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 Fig. FMS for small cubic parts

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 Features of FMS for small cubic parts

 Incorporates automatic storage and retrieval system

(AS/AR) for w.p storage and transportation.

 A stacker crane transfers w.p to the M/C .

 Tool transport system from a central tool stocker to

the tool magazine.

 The use of vertical AS/AR has minimized floor space

and reduced time for changing w.p.
 Efficiency of the system is high.
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 2. FMS for rotating parts

 FMS incorporates a turning centre.

 Operations: turning + secondary machining operations.

 2 opposing spindles on the same centre line + 2 turrets +

robot loader.

 All required machining can be performed in a single set-

up.
 The cell succeeded in combining the functions of several
machines in a single machine.
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 Fig. FMS for rotating parts

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 Internal view of the turning centre

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 Traub turning centre

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 Traub turning centre

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 Traub turning centre

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 Traub turning centre

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 3. Laser FMS for sheet metal parts

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 FMS for sheet metal parts

 FMS consists of CAD/CAM, laser FMS, press, robot

welding, painting and assembly stations.

 All of the sheet metal parts which are required for a single
M/C tool are produced at one time.

 AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle)

 In-process time is reduced from 90 days (using punch
press) to 5 days.

 In punch press tool set-up was too large.

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