Flexible Manufacturing System

FMS (Flexible manufacturing system) is a computer controlled system. It consists of several stations each geared to different operations. Work station machines are automated and programmable. Automated handling equipment move components to the suitable work station. after that it is moved onto the pre-programmed machines that select, position and activates the particular tools for every job. Hundreds of tool option is available. one time the  machine  has  finished  one batch  the  computer  signals the  next  quantity or component, and machine automatically  transferred to the  next  workstation  in its routing.

In these system kits of materials and part for a product are loaded on the automated materials handling system. After that a code is entered into the computer system identifying the product to be produced and the location of the product in the sequence. As partially completed products finish at one produced machine, they are automatically passed to the next production machine. Every production  machine  receives its settings  and instructions  from  the  computer automatically  loads  and unloads  tools  as needed, and completes it work  without  the  need  for  workers to  attends its  operations .

Although the initial cost of  these  system is high  per unit production  costs  are low  quality  of  production  is high  and product flexibility  is high.  FMS are growing's in significant and many companies are now installing them.