Flexible Manufacturing Systems

One for the introduction of scientific and technological progress and solving problems of updating and expanding the product range is the creation of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). GPS in accordance with state standard is a set of different combinations of equipment with numerical control, robotics technology systems, flexible manufacturing cells and individual units of technological equipment and systems to ensure their functioning in automatic mode for a predetermined time interval, having the property of an automated setup for production of products arbitrary range of values within the prescribed limits of their characteristics. GPS is designed to perform basic production processes (procurement, mechanical and other kinds of processing and assembly). This system has the ability to quickly setup for the manufacture of various products of a particular production. Flexible manufacturing systems are used in various types of production and varied in nature products and types of work performed, the number and scale of the units, integrated into the system, the degree of automation of individual elements and the whole system, the levels of the organizational structure and other grounds.

For organizational features distinguish the following types of FMS: Flexible Automated Line (GAL) – a flexible production system, in which process equipment is located in the adopted sequence of technological operations; flexible automated site (COD) – a flexible productive system, which operates on the technological route, which can change sequence of process equipment; flexible automated workshop (GATS) – a flexible production system, which is a collection of various combinations of flexible automated and robotic technology areas for manufacturing products specified range; ensure that the system of GPS technology equipment – a set of general related automated systems supporting product design, technological preparation of production management, flexible manufacturing system using a computer and automatic movement items and production tooling. In general, the operation of GPS system consists of: automated transport and storage system (ATCC), a system of automated control (BAC) automated system for waste disposal (ASUO), automated tool support (ASIO), an automated process control system (DCS), an automated system Scientific Research (ARS), computer-aided design (CAD), an automated system of technological preparation of production (ASTPP), an automated control system GPS (ACS GPS) and other flexible Production Module (GPM) – is independently functioning unit of process equipment. Robotic Technology Complex (RTC) – a set of items of process equipment, industrial robot and the means of their equipment, autonomous functioning and carrying out multiple cycles. RTK, designed to work in the GPA, must have automatic changeover and the ability to embed into the system. The main characteristics of the PMG and the RTC are: the ability to work independently for some time, without human intervention and automatic execution of all basic and auxiliary operations, flexibility in meeting the requirements of small-scale production, ease of adjustment, eliminating failures of major equipment and control systems, interoperability with conventional and flexible manufacturing, high degree of completion of treatment parts from one installation, high efficiency. The effectiveness of GPS is provided by operation of computer-aided design, ACSPSW, ASOPP and other automated systems. The integration of all automated systems within the CAM leads to creation of flexible automated production (HAP). The development cost of acquisition, maintenance and use of automation is very high, so automation should have socio-economic background.