Knowra Flexible manufacturing system Flexible manufacturing system A computer-controlled production system that uses programmable machines and automated material handling to make different products or variants with limited changeover.
Numerical control : The automated control of machine tools through coded instructions that specify operations and movements. Programmable machine tools let the system switch operations without rebuilding its equipment.
Computer numerical control : A method of controlling machine tools with a computer that executes coded instructions. CNC machines provide programmable processing at individual FMS workstations.
Automotive industry : The industrial sector that designs, manufactures, and supplies motor vehicles and their components. Automotive plants use flexible production to handle model and component variation.
Flexible automation : Automation designed to accommodate product or process changes with relatively little reconfiguration. FMS is a coordinated production-system implementation of flexible automation.
Changeover : The time and work required to switch equipment or a production line from one product or operation to another. Reducing changeover effort is a direct measure of an FMS's practical flexibility.
Computer-integrated manufacturing : The integration of computer systems across product design, planning, production, and business operations. An FMS is a production-floor component within this broader integration approach.
Industrial robot : A programmable mechanical device used to move, manipulate, or process materials in industrial settings. Robots can load machines, transfer parts, or perform operations within the system.
Job shop : A manufacturing facility organized around specialized processes that produce varied, often low-volume orders. An FMS automates routing and coordination that a conventional job shop handles less systematically.
Fixed automation : Production automation configured for a fixed sequence of operations and high-volume output. Unlike an FMS, fixed automation typically sacrifices product variety for throughput.
Manufacturing lead time : The elapsed time between starting and completing a manufacturing order or product. Routing and scheduling flexibility can affect how quickly orders pass through production.
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