Browse Topic: Flexible manufacturing systems

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Optimum scheduling of machines and AGVs in a multi-machine FMS with alternative routing using crow search algorithm2025-28-0179To be published on 02/07/2025
This article addresses the machines and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) concurrent scheduling with alternative machines in a multi-machine flexible manufacturing system (FMS) in order to provide the best optimum sequences to minimize the makespan (MKSN). The allocation of AGVs and their related trips, including deadheaded trips and loaded trip times, to job operations (jb-ons), along with the determination of machine selection for jb-ons and the sequencing of jb-ons on the machines, pose significant challenges in solving this problem. The problem is modeled using mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) in this study and solved using the crow search algorithm (CSA). As a means of verification, an industrial problem from a manufacturing company is utilized. The findings indicate that CSA performs better than the existing techniques and that utilizing alternative machines for the operations can bring down the MKSN for 224 minutes and cost $877
Siva Rami Reddy, Narapureddy
Technical Paper
Resistance Rivet and Insert Welding - A Flexible Manufacturing Technique for the Aluminum/FRPs-Steel Multi-Material Body Structures2024-01-207104/09/2024
Automotive body structures are being increasingly made in multi-material system consisting of steel, aluminum (Al) and fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP). Therefore, many joining techniques such as self-piercing riveting (SPR) and adhesive bonding have been developed. On the other hand, OEMs want to minimize the number of joining techniques to reduce the manufacturing complexity. Amount all joining methods, resistance spot welding (RSW) is the most advanced and cost-effective one for body-in-white. However, RSW cannot be applied for joining dissimilar materials. Therefore, a novel Rivet Resistance Spot Welding method (RRSW) was developed in which Al or FRP components can be directly welded to steel structures with existing welding systems. RRSW uses rivet-like double T-shaped steel elements as a welding adapter which are formed or integrated into Al or FRP components during their forming process. After that, they are welded to the steel components by RSW. This paper shows at first the
Fang, Xiangfan, Zhang, Fan, Xu, Hongli
Technical Paper
Optimizing Concurrent Scheduling of Machines and Tools in a Flexible Manufacturing System with Alternating Machines Using the Flower Pollination Algorithm2023-28-014111/10/2023
This paper examines the concurrent scheduling of machines and tools with machines in a multi-machine flexible manufacturing system (FMS) with the aim of minimizing the makespan in automobile manufacturing industry. Due to the high cost of tools in FMS, each type of tool has only one duplicate in circulation. To reduce the cost of duplicating tools on each machine, a central tool magazine (CTM) is used to store and share tools among several machines. The main challenge in this scenario is to allocate machines from alternate machines and tools to job operations in a way that minimizes the make span. To address this problem, the article proposes a mixed nonlinear integer programming formulation and a Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA). The results show that the FPA outperforms existing algorithms and using alternate machines for operations can reduce the make span. Therefore, this paper suggests that the FPA-based approach can be effectively utilized in real-world FMS applications
Mareddy, Padma Lalitha, Vakucherla, Venkatesh, Katta, Lakshmi Narasimhamu, Siva Rami Reddy, Narapureddy
Technical Paper
BMW takes multi-modal route to manufacturing23AUTP03_0803/01/2023
BMW's Munich factory remains the fertile root of a century of manufacturing, including its first R32 motorcycle in 1923. At the Munich plant - flanked by the engine-shaped “four-cylinder” headquarters tower and futuristic BMW Welt museum and customer-delivery center - BMW recently showed media its reimagined “iFactory.” This lean, green and digitized environment can build ICE, hybrid, electric or even hydrogen fuel-cell models on a single assembly line. That master plan includes a car and battery factory in Debrecen, Hungary, that BMW claims will be the industry's first CO2-emissions-free plant in 2025, fed entirely by photovoltaic or other renewable electricity
Ulrich, Lawrence
Magazine Article
Is The Future of Automation in the Manufacturing Sector Already HereTBMG-3998310/01/2021
The manufacturing facilities of the future will deploy extremely easy-to-use, safe, flexible, and affordable automation supported by AI and standardized software and hardware interfaces. In several key respects, the transformative technologies required to make all this happen are already here, driven by demand from within the manufacturing sector itself. These technologies provide a tantalizing glimpse into the future of manufacturing automation
Magazine Article
Implementation of Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems in the Manufacturing of Turbo Charger Turbine Housing2019-28-013510/11/2019
Today manufacturing industries have become more competitive and to survive, industries should be capable of accommodating the sudden market change. The conventional manufacturing systems like Dedicated Manufacturing Lines (DMLs) can produce high volume of product but difficult to cater to varying product types. On the other hand, Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) is capable of handling product variety but not suited for mass production, The Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS) gives the advantage of both the system, as it has the capability to adjust to both high volume requirement and product variety, and it able to upgrade to new process technology with minimal effort. In this work the reconfiguration is carried out in machine and system level. At machine level, a new inspection machine is proposed which can be used for multiple products with minimal adjustments and a special drilling and bore tool is suggested to reduce the cycle time and ramp up time when product changes. At
Aravindh, Kumaran, Arun, Kumaran, Raja, Kumar, Naiju, Chooriyaparambil Damodaran, Thiagarajan, Soundararajan, Vanamurthy, Murugan
Technical Paper
CASTING AROUND FOR lightweight solutions19AUTP10_0210/01/2019
The United Kingdom's Grainger & Worrall is introducing and perfecting “new and imaginative” casting-technologies. “Get more [efficiency] from less [weight, time, cost],” is a mantra that will be chanted sotto voce by many an automotive designer and engineer facing the latest list of a new vehicle's “requirements.” Many propulsion solutions are possible, some of them evolutionary, that bring new opportunities for application within a rapidly-changing industry. But not all are focused on the design of pure EVs. Experts forecast that the internal combustion engine (ICE) will remain a mainstay of production vehicles-the majority used in hybrid configurations-for many years to come
Birch, Stuart
Magazine Article
Understanding Smart Machines: How They Will Shape the FutureTBMG-2886305/01/2018
Powered by smart machines, the new industrial revolution is changing how machine builders design, and how manufacturers operate today and in the future. To remain competitive and profitable, plants and machines will have to be smarter: better connected, more efficient, more flexible, and safe
Magazine Article
Cobots and Industrial Robots: Choose the Right Robot for the JobTBMG-2880904/01/2018
Automating manufacturing processes is a complex issue, with no one-size-fits-all solution. Robots range from insect-like microrobots to industrial robots powerful enough to move automotive chassis or airplanes. Toward the lower end of the spectrum is a class of robots referred to as collaborative robots (or cobots) because they are designed to share a workspace with human workers
Magazine Article
NASA's Autonomous Robot Keeps Manufacturing Floors SafeTBMG-2881404/01/2018
A600-pound spider-like robot, called Spidernaut, was part of a prototype robot team built in 2005 to assemble a solar array on the Moon. The goal was not only to have robots do the manual labor, but for them to work cooperatively without human direction
Magazine Article
Automation Bulletin No. 3EIAAB3D (Current)06/16/2016
Systems Management Council
Information Report
Potentials of Human-Robot-Cooperation in Aircraft Assembly Systems / New possible applications of a human-robot-cooperation in aircraft production by the example of shell structure assembly2015-01-250709/15/2015
The automation of assembly processes in aircraft production is, due to technological and organizational boundary conditions, very difficult and is subject to technological challenges and economical risks. The technological challenges are especially the large product dimensions as well as the high amount of variants. At the same time, aircrafts are produced in low quantities with inflexible and expensive fixtures. As part of the research projects TRSE (semi-automated robot welding for single item production) and 4by3 (Modularity, Safety, Usability, Efficiency by Human-Robot-Collaboration) at ZeMA, the goal is to develop new process technologies, planning tools and adequate equipment in order to enable efficient and customized automation for various production processes. The human-robot-cooperation is an approach to a required, adjusted and flexible automation. Worker and robot work together without a separating protection device in an overlapping workspace. The idea is to support the
Mueller, Rainer, Geenen, Aaron, Vette, Matthias
Technical Paper
Tool Management System Planning and Applications Based on Lean Manufacturing2014-01-077504/01/2014
In order to meet the requirement of Flexible Manufacturing System, tool management, including tool preparation and tool setting, has to be planned systematically at the beginning of manufacturing engineering planning and flexible manufacturing line planning based on lean manufacturing principles. The objective of this article is to study the tool management factors that lean and flexible manufacturing system required, based on the planning of tool management in a new engine factory. This article introduces the main contents of tool management systems, analyzes the process of tool management, and summarizes the steps of tool planning process. In details, this article includes planning on tool management procedures, plant floor layout and information system. In addition, the article puts forwards a formula for calculation of tool presetting time, so that the demand of tool equipment quantity and personnel in a tool presetting room can be decided. This article can be used as reference or
LI, Fengzhu, Bao, Shunan, Li, Gang
Technical Paper
Perspective: Joe Bakaj7-38-6-2607/01/2013
Flexible manufacturing and bringing more electrification in-house is helping to take low-CO2 vehicles into volume production at reduced cost
Bickerstaffe, Simon
Journal Article
Finding the right balance11AEID0405_0404/05/2011
Engineers identify key technology trends such as the necessity for lighter, smaller engines and vehicles-and stress that managing trade-offs is an especially tough challenge. When asked to select the two most important environmental/sustainability issues in their development work, SAE-member engineers responding to a survey recently conducted for DuPont and Automotive Engineering International indicated the top three to be hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), technologies that boost performance of smaller engines, and lightweighting (for CAFE), with 47%, 47%, and 31%, respectively. Remarkably, when this DuPont/AEI survey was last conducted in 2008, batteries and EV technology (the word “hybrid” was excluded) were considered the most important sustainability issue in only 3% of respondents' work, illustrating the industry's keen focus on vehicle electrification over the past three years. Also in 2008, the use of bio-based fuel and alternative-fuel issues ranked second with 44%; this year
Gehm, Ryan
Magazine Article
Building blocksAUTOFEB09_0602/01/2009
Engineering a good engine is half the battle; getting it through the assembly process without introducing flaws is the final victory. With gasoline prices as volatile as they've ever been, it is difficult for automakers to judge future demand for the various models in their product range. An appropriate amount of manufacturing flexibility, not just for vehicle models but also for engine models, can go a long way in these uncertain times. That is particularly so as automakers the world over, especially those in the U.S., are trying to downsize their engines. A gradual move in the U.S. away from eight-cylinders to six-cylinders and four-cylinders is already under way. “The gas spike this summer drove more of that thinking,” said John Lucci, a partner in the Global Automotive Practice of Oliver Wyman Consulting. “Now, as gas prices have gone to the lowest in years, all bets are off regarding the speed at which these changes will continue
Ponticel, Patrick
Magazine Article
Finding flexibilityAUTONOV08_0311/01/2008
Although automation is important to achieving flexibility, manufacturers cannot neglect product design, manufacturing processes, and personnel. As the current market volatility shows, automakers might need flexible factories now more than ever. Besides supporting agility in the marketplace, flexible factories maximize capacity utilization, if used correctly. A factory that costs less, that is loaded up to 100% capacity with different models, and that switches over quickly to respond to a fickle market is the ideal automotive factory of today-for vehicles or parts, OEMs or suppliers. “I have been studying flexible automotive manufacturing for over 15 years,” said Jay Baron, President of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR.) “A number of myths persist. For instance, there is the myth that a flexible plant costs more. Well, that was true 15 years ago, but today there is a lot of flexible technology that costs less, not more
Morey, Bruce
Magazine Article
New PKM Tricept T9000 and Its Application to Flexible Manufacturing at Aerospace Industry2007-01-382009/17/2007
Tricept machines are already being successfully utilized by the Aerospace Industry. While the well known versions T605 and T805 are still adequate for known applications, the new Tricept T9000 developed by PKMTricept SL has been designed focusing in hard materials machining and a broader range of applications in mind. The recently released Tricept T9000 is presented here. One installation where the T9000 has been working for over one year is also introduced. A new and totally automated riveting head with seven different end-effectors has been specifically designed by LOXIN to be used with Tricept robots. The capabilities of this new head are reviewed here
Olazagoitia, Jose Luis, Wyatt, Scott
Technical Paper
Simulation at the Heart of an Automated Aerospace Manufacturing Process2006-01-315009/12/2006
The traditional use of simulation software in aerospace manufacturing applications has been as a pre-production tool for the validation of tool paths and the generation of robot programs. Once the process has been proven via simulation, the data is then transferred to the machine or robot and the production process executed. This is a linear approach in which the virtual and real systems are operated independently and in a serial manner. The current capabilities of offline programming (OLP) and simulation systems when combined with appropriate hardware in a flexible manufacturing environment now allow them to be used right at the heart of a manufacturing process, as an integral part of the manufacturing route. In a flexible manufacturing cell such as that developed at the University of Nottingham for the automated assembly and riveting of large aerostructures, a key driver is the need to reduce or eliminate complex and costly jigs and fixtures for part positioning. The use of simple
Eastwood, S., Webb, P.
Technical Paper
The automotive future: It's the law of the jungleAUTOAUG05_1308/01/2005
SAE 100 Future look: When it comes to the global automotive industry, it's a jungle out there. And only the strongest, most agile players are likely to survive and thrive in the future. Throughout the world, the industry is undergoing deep and fundamental change. A number of key factors are driving this change, including hyper-competition; the successful deployment of advanced, electronic business tools such as the Internet and computer modeling and simulation programs; the rapid emergence of new, modern economies and automotive markets such as China and India; significant production overcapacity; and the integration of the car business across the global community. For the United States, the auto industry is an economic cornerstone. This reality makes the industry's current transformation particularly challenging for the nation. The typical job at an automotive manufacturer contributes more than $300,000 of value to the economy, which is more than four times the impact generated by the
Cole, David E.
Magazine Article
Sharing the wealthAUTOMAY05_0405/01/2005
A versatile vehicle architecture can deliver multiple variants from a single platform, reducing development costs and time-to-market. Over the past few years, automobile manufacturers in the U.S. have been focusing on developing processes and tools to enable production of a range of vehicles that are distinctive to the customer but share core technology underneath. The intense competition in the marketplace has driven companies to compete in new market segments, and the challenge is to keep volumes high enough to pay for the capital investment required to constantly deliver new and exciting products. Flexible manufacturing processes contribute significantly to this objective, and product development now routinely addresses multiple variants at the concept design stage. In January this year, Ford launched its new global product development system to reduce product-creation cost and better tailor products to meet customer expectations
Alexander, David
Magazine Article
Bodybuilding and chassis integrationAUTOJUN04_0606/01/2004
Automakers are becoming more open to material mixing and matching for bodies, and they see great potential in further electronic chassis systems integration. Aluminum has transformed chassis design over the past 20 years. Its contribution to weight reduction of suspension components to significantly enhance vehicle dynamic performance is now the norm, and there is every sign that aluminum's automotive influence will continue to grow. However, not every manufacturer agrees on what that growth path should be. Both Audi and Jaguar have elected to build all-aluminum-bodied cars, while BMW has taken a median course, using aluminum for chassis components but joining aluminum (front end) and steel (passenger compartment) for the body shell where it feels it is appropriate, particularly to obtain the 50:50 weight balance that it regards as ideal to help achieve the optimum handling balance for its cars
Magazine Article
Tuning of Multi-layered Acoustic Systems2003-01-143705/05/2003
The ability to utilize existing infrastructure i.e. tools, equipment and machinery to generate a unique acoustic product offering with minimal changes is important. This is because no generic acoustic solution ( material or composite ) exists for different vehicle configurations. Also, recent developments in predictive acoustic engineering and enhanced CAE capabilities as applied to development of optimal flat sample criteria for in-vehicle transmission loss and absorption performance allow for reverse engineering of the noise control systems. This reverse engineering coupled with a flexible manufacturing system will allow customization or tuning for any given program. Cost effective acoustic systems that can provide optimal insertion loss/absorption ratios utilizing a common manufacturing process will be the enabler to sustain competitive advantage. New materials, manufacturing processes and concepts regarding the treatment of automotive noise problems have provided the opportunity
Khambete, Surendra, Care, Melvyn, Hendrick, David, Skidmore, Fred
Technical Paper
Rouge: Symbol of past points to futureAUTOAPR03_0704/01/2003
A rebirth at Ford's famous manufacturing complex honors the past but puts the focus on the future. When Ford opens the Dearborn Truck Plant at its historic Rouge complex next year for production of the F-150 pickup truck, it will feature the most sophisticated equipment and processes Ford has to offer in its effort to become flexible on the shop floor and irresistable on the New York Stock Exchange trading floor. Anne Stevens, Ford Vice President, North America Vehicle Operations, discussed some of the history but mainly the future of the plant at a media event for the truck and the plant late last year. At that time, the plant was still devoid of equipment but otherwise appeared almost ready for the business of truck-making to begin
Ponticel, Patrick
Magazine Article
OEM production systems enable flexibilityAUTOJAN03_0301/01/2003
Building multiple models on the same production line is a Japanese innovation-one that U.S. automakers are hurrying to implement. Ford Motor Co. is using its most valuable property, the F-Series pickup truck, to launch its flexible manufacturing program in North America beginning with the 2004 model year. The first fully flexible plant for Ford in America will be the Norfolk Assembly Plant, launch site for the redesigned 2004 F-150. General Motors Corp. already has a flexible plant in operation: the new Lansing Grand River plant, where the Cadillac CTS currently is produced. The SRX goes into production there this summer, with more models planned. Chrysler Group has the capability to add or change models with minimal disruption at four plants. With the 2004 model year Chrysler Pacifica, for the first time it will build multiple models off different platforms at the same facility, namely the Windsor Assembly Plant in Canada beginning early this year
Ponticel, Patrick
Magazine Article
Agent Based Scheduling in Production System2001-01-322510/01/2001
The objective in a flexible manufacturing system is an optimal system resources scheduling. The production scheduling of such system may be resolved by a set of individual agents, which can work parallel and their coordination may bring a more effective way to find an optimal solution. Criteria for the optimal solution may be created on the time or economical (cost) basis but each may have a different priority depending on each situation. In this paper we will analyse an approach to find a feasible schedule of all products, which could minimize their costs and satisfy all constrains jointed with each product
Frankovic, B., Dang, T. T., Moeller, K.
Technical Paper
The Lean and Agile Manufacturing Model1999-01-161104/20/1999
The Lean and Agile Manufacturing Simulation Model simulates the concepts of lean and agile manufacturing. A “live” working factory model is used to contrast the operating styles between a typical “mass production” plant and a “lean” production plant. Participants work as a team to plan, fabricate, manufacture, assemble, and ship two types of products using three common manufacturing processes - Traditional Mass Production (Push), Just-In-Time Manufacturing (Pull), and Cellular Manufacturing (Cell). Model functions include; warehousing, fabrication, WIP storage, assembly, inspection, accounting and shipping utilizing a miniature factory model, complete with tools, fixtures, materials and shop floor paperwork transactions. The model initially utilizes a traditional Material Requirements Planning (MRP) based scheduling approach to operate the factory. Through the application of lean production concepts, participants learn how to re-engineer the factory by applying various lean and agile
Frech, Steven, Piciacchia, Roy
Technical Paper
Development of Optimal Production Control Strategies Using Experiment Planning - A Study Case in the Earthmoving Industry98151204/08/1998
Control strategies - the long term rules used in production planing and control - for highly integrated and flexible manufacturing systems in most cases are specialized in specific and usually constant production programs. Therefore, changes in the production program require adaptations in those single or combined control strategies. To keep the system optimal, there is a need for more than just analytical mathematical methods, whose limits are quickly crossed because of their complex correlations. An effective device for the development of optimal control strategies connected with an advantageous system structure is the focused Experiment Planning. It combines static analysis and calculations with dynamic simulations in order to develop alternatives for improvement of control strategies and the system structure in a repetitive process. The use of the Experiment Planning enables an efficient adaptation of control strategies and the system structure to a changed production program, such
Dangelmaier, Wilhelm, Schmidtmann, Achim, Schäfermeier, Ulrich
Technical Paper
Nissan's New Production System: Intelligent Body Assembly System91081602/01/1991
Car makers are working hard today to shorten development and production lead times through the use of flexibile manufacturing systems(FMSs)to meet diversified and individualized customer requirements. To achieve this goal, Nissan has been developing many kinds of new technologies and systems such as: (1) the intelligent body assembly system for body assembly processes; (2) a press die stamping simulation method and unified database for press die manufacturing; (3) a robot and facility teaching system using CAD data; (4) an automated assembly line for trim and chassis assembly operations. These new FMS methods have been implemented in many manufacturing areas, including the stamping shop, body assembly shop, painting shop and trim and chassis shop. This paper focuses mainly on the intelligent body assembly system as a typical example of the new production systems and technologies being developed at Nissan
Sekine, Yoshitada, Koyama, Shinji, Imazu, Hidetoshi
Technical Paper
A Total Automation Scheme for the Manufacturing of Headliners90082902/01/1990
This paper presents a total automation scheme for the manufacturing of headliners, optimizing quality, while maintaining minimum amount of labor for low cost manufacturing. The system approaches a “lights out” concept of manufacturing. The system consists of automated manufacturing lines providing flexible manufacturing, control, and diagnostics, SPC, process status and tracking with each cell operating as a separate manufacturing entity monitored by a communication network. Cell controllers provide control coordination, data collection, and downloading of component programs. An automated guided vehicle (AGV) material handling system provides transport and inventory control of materials. A factory management computer system provides dynamic scheduling, inventory control, SPC/SQC data collection and production analysis. A communication network provides an interconnection of all automation components including assembly plant data with the future potential of office work station
Gould, Jim
Technical Paper
Simulation of Industrial Robots in Flexible Manufacturing Systems on Microcomputer89122011/01/1989
This paper deals with several aspects of the simulation of robots in flexible manufacturing system. The simulation provides a quick computer evaluation of the motion of a robot and the interaction with machine tools and other equipment in the work cell. The on line and off line programming feature of a robot are incorporated in the simulation for use in PC computer for economic and easy usage by manufacturing personnel. The new type of robot having a closed kinematic chain are used in the simulation for spray painting, welding, deck and doors opening for manufacturing process. The design aspects of robot encompassing the analysis, synthesis and kinematic dynamic are also presented
Yen, Frank Y., Liu, S.Z., Qiao, Danwen
Technical Paper
Localization of Parts Production for Trucks: Transfer of Press Parts Production Technology89123711/01/1989
Thai Hino Industries, one of Hino Motors Ltd.'s major overseas joint ventures, has been manufacturing trucks since it was founded over 20 years ago. During that time, Hino Motors, in cooperation with the Government of Thailand, has increasingly localized the production of vehicle component parts. Today, calculated by item, 45% of all such parts are produced by Thai Hino Industries and its local suppliers. As a result, Thai Hino Industries has grown into a company which makes significant contributions not only to the automotive industry but to Thailand's industrial sector as a whole. Localization of Thai Hino progressed from the transfer of vehicle assembly know-how, to the establishment of feasible guidelines for parts production localization, then on to the transfer of production engineering know-how for flexible manufacturing systems, and finally to the transfer of production engineering know-how for press dies. This paper will describe how these steps, and especially the final
Nishikawa, Hiroshi, Kawamura, Kanji
Technical Paper
The Development of Advanced FMS for Heavy Duty manufacturing86125909/01/1986
CLASSICAL JUSTIFICATION TECHNIQUES applied to advanced technology for manufacturing, in particular, Flexible Manufacturing Systems are a major deterrent to the modernization of the industrial base of the United States. The primary problems are in the basic structure of our management and accounting philosophies and systems used in the manufacturing institution. This structure is designed to manage a manufacturing system that, in fact, is dramatically different than what the flexible system technology is. The industrial base of this country is operated on the basic tenets established in the Frederick Taylor era. These tenets are batch manufacturing in conjunction with detailed, elemental break-down of job content and high direct labor content. Flexible manufacturing concepts have the basic tenets of random, continuous part flow with little or no direct labor relationship. Therefore, we are considering an alternative manufacturing system, not a minor improvement on an existing
Haas, Paul R.
Technical Paper
New Manufacturing Technologies, Techniques, and Trends Leading to More Air Freight Traffic86115609/01/1986
Flexible manufacturing systems, involving computer-aided design and manufacturing; just-in-time inventory management; and changes in the worldwide sourcing and distribution of materials are transforming the methods and location of manufacturing in many countries. This transformation should lead to an increase in the use of air freight transportation both internationally and domestically. This paper explores these trends, and shows what their implications will be for air cargo carriers
Stenger, Alan J.
Technical Paper
Flexible Manufacturing System Problems and Prospect for the Indonesian Automotive Industry85228411/11/1985
The automotive industry had been one of the pioneers in employing mass production. Dedicated machines and transferline production had been the character of production facilities of this industry. These production facilities, however, will only be competitive for a large volume of production with efficiency in operation. The Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) is a newly developed production system, and is still being developed further. FMS seems to be the future production method for the newly developed automotive industry, characterized by small volume of production and reasonable variety, such as in Indonesia. However many problems will arise in Indonesia for adopting this method of production. This paper discusses these problems and some possible solutions to overcome them
Wirjomartono, S. H., Rochim, T.
Technical Paper
Implementation of Flexible Manufacturing Plants in Metal Working Industry85228511/11/1985
This paper discusses the role of the Flexible Manufacturing Plants (FMP) in the automation of manufacturing activities in the metal working industry with emphasis on the basic constituents of the FMP, i.e. Flexible Transfer Line (FTL), Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) and Flexible Manufacturing Cell (FMC). The paper investigates also, the FMP essential elements such as: computer integrated manufacturing, intelligent operation systems, robot systems, assembly systems, simulation systems, etc…, and the FMP's application in the medium size industries of medium varieties. The paper also gives typical examples of designs and discusses the efficiency and economy of different flexible automated concepts
Abdln, M. F., Mohamed, N. S., Chaaban, M. A.
Technical Paper
Computer Aided Manufacturing and Engineering85111811/01/1985
This paper is a case history of computer aided manufacturing and engineering at The Ingersoll Milling Machine Company in Rockford, Illinois. This paper shows the decisions and procedures that Ingersoll went through in order to implement computer aided manufacturing. The paper also explains the manufacturing process and how Ingersoll's Flexible Manufacturing System fits into the process. Computer aided engineering is one area where engineering analysis fits into the design phase of the engineering process. Finite element analysis is performed on customer workpieces in order to optimize the mechanical designs of the production machinery for use in the customer's plant. The finite element analysis process and other computer aided engineering tools are also discussed
Zaumseil, Dean, Hess, George
Technical Paper
Flexible Manufacturing System for the Fabrication of Precision Components with Real Time Simulation85180410/01/1985
Real time simulation for manufacturing decision support will soon become critical to the operation of FMS. On unmanned systems where many dissimilar parts are machined in random lot sizes to a high degree of precision, it is essential that the simulation model be continually updated by the system on the status of the product flowing through the system, as well as the status of equipment in the system. Real time simulation will be a critical element in future computer integrated manufacturing systems
Graf, Henry R.
Technical Paper
An Approach to Flexible Manufacturing82138002/01/1982
Modular incremental applications of Flexible Manufacturing Systems provide “small lots/batch” manufacturers with a strategy to improve productivity from a timetable and cash flow basis that meets his specific needs. The Aerospace Industry is one of the best examples of “small lots” manufacturing. In today's environment where flexibility is a necessity, well planned strategies, effectively executed, will determine survival and leadership in this highly competitive industry. This paper focuses on General Electric's Aircraft Engine Business Group's roadmap to apply and meld advanced technology into the in-place production base. Networking of these modernization programs provides the approach that keeps our entire manufacturing facilities--old and new--on a continual path to “Factories With a Future.” Prioritized automation projects, implemented on an incremental basis, allow a pay-as-you-go tracking scheme that fulfills economic and technological objectives for modernizing our
Patsfall, Ralph, Hacker, Don
Technical Paper
Allis-Chalmers Flexible Manufacturing System75094302/01/1975
This paper discusses a Flexible Manufacturing System, which has implemented design changes through simple program modifications. The system seems best suited for the manufacture of complex parts in intermediate quantities, showing poor returns on very simple parts or high produciton parts
Gross, Kenneth E., Stromei, Vincent N.
Technical Paper
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