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生產(chǎn)率計算卡被加工零件圖號毛坯種類名稱氣缸體毛坯重量材料HT250硬度工序名稱頂?shù)酌娲帚姽ば蛱栃蛱柟げ矫Q被加工零件數(shù)量銑削深度(mm)加工寬度(mm)工作行程(mm)切削速度(m/min)每分鐘轉速(rmin)1裝卸工件12工作臺快進13工作臺工進14580115080.38644工作臺快退1備注裝卸工件時間取決于操作者熟練程度,本機床計算時取1min鑄鐵1802402進給量(mm/r)進給速度(mm/min)工時(min)機加工時間輔助時間共計110.070.0742562.272.270.190.180.37總計3.71min單件工時3.71min機床生產(chǎn)率16.2件/h機床負荷率90%
畢業(yè)設計任務書
課題：柴油機氣缸體頂?shù)酌娲帚娊M合機床總體及夾具設計
專 業(yè) 機械設計制造及其自動化
學 生 姓 名 陶 金 丞
班 級 B機制023
學 號 0210110333
指 導 教 師 劉 道 標
專 業(yè) 系 主 任
發(fā) 放 日 期 2006年3月 6 日
一、設計內(nèi)容
課題來源于生產(chǎn)。為保證柴油機氣缸體頂?shù)酌娴谋砻娲植诙燃拔恢镁?，設計一
臺頂?shù)酌娲帚娊M合機床。在完成“三圖一卡”的基礎上，主要完成其總體設計及夾具
設計。
二、設計依據(jù)
柴油機氣缸體材料為HT250，其硬度是HB180-240。要求該粗銑組合機床能夠
銑削氣缸體表面至Ra為6.3，頂?shù)酌娉叽缰?27±0.3，其他要求見被加工零件圖。
生產(chǎn)按兩班制進行，每班工作6小時，年產(chǎn)量65000件
三、技術要求
1、機床應能滿足加工要求，保證加工精度；
2、機床應運轉平穩(wěn)，工作可靠，結構簡單；
3、裝卸方便，便于維修、調(diào)整；
4、盡量使用通用件，以便降低制造成本；
5、各動力頭分別由電機拖動，可單獨控制。
四、畢業(yè)設計物化成果的具體內(nèi)容及要求
1、設計說明書1份，達1萬字以上，且要符合規(guī)范要求；
2、設計圖樣全部用AutoCAD繪制，總的繪圖量達3張A0以上；
3、具體設計的圖樣有：
（1）機床聯(lián)系尺寸圖、被加工零件工序圖、加工示意圖、生產(chǎn)率計算卡
（2）夾具總裝圖和主要零件工程圖
可附其他實物及實驗要求
五、畢業(yè)設計進度計劃
起訖日期
工作內(nèi)容
備 注
06.03.06—06.03.07
布置任務
下達任務書
06.03.06—06.03.17
調(diào)查研究，收集資料，熟悉課題,畢業(yè)實習
06.03.20—06.03.31
總體設計，方案論證
06.04.10—06.05.10
部件、零件設計階段
06.05.11—06.05.25
編寫說明書
06.05.26—06.05.28
畢業(yè)設計預答辯
06.05.29—06.05.31
修改整理
06.06.01—06.06.02
復查材料
評閱
06.06.03—06.06.05
畢業(yè)答辯
06.06.06—06.06.08
材料整理裝袋
六、主要參考文獻：
1、葉偉昌主編.機械工程及自動化簡明設計手冊(上冊).北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，2001
2、葉偉昌主編.機械工程及自動化簡明設計手冊(下冊).北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，2001
3、胡家秀主編.機械零件設計實用手冊.北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，1999．10
4、李益民主編.機械制造工藝設計手冊.北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，1995．10
5、艾興等主編.金屬切削用量手冊.北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，1996、10
6、范云漲等主編.金屬切削機床設計簡明手冊.北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，1993．8
7、孟憲椅等主編.機床夾具圖冊.北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，1991．4
8、韓敬禮等主編.機械電氣設計簡明手冊.北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，1994．5
9、謝家瀛主編.組合機床設計簡明手冊.北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，1999．10
10、楊培元等主編.液壓系統(tǒng)設計手冊.北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，1995．10
11、大連組合機床研究所編.組合機床設計.北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，1986
12、大連組合機床研究所編.組合機床設計參考圖冊.北京：機械工業(yè)出版社，1986
13、李云.機械制造工藝及設備設計指導手冊.北京.機械工業(yè)出版社. 1996
14、薛源順.機床夾具設計.北京.機械工業(yè)出版社.2000
15、李益民.機械制造工藝設計簡明手冊. 北京.機械工業(yè)出版社.1993
七、其他
4
鹽城工學院畢業(yè)設計說明書 2006
柴油機氣缸體頂?shù)酌娲帚娊M合機床總體及夾具設計
摘要：本設計課題為柴油機氣缸體頂?shù)酌娲帚娊M合機床總體及夾具設計。機床總體設計主要完成雙面銑組合機床的“三圖一卡”；擬訂夾具的結構方案、繪制夾具總圖及其零件圖。
根據(jù)氣缸體尺寸、形狀、材料、加工部位的結構和加工精度、表面粗糙度等要求，確定選用臥式雙面銑組合機床；為實現(xiàn)工件快進和工進配以移動工作臺；被加工平面為大平面，材料為HT250，故刀具選擇硬質(zhì)合金端銑刀。夾具安裝在移動工作臺之上。在被加工零件的定位方面，本方案采用了“一面兩銷”的定位方式，以達到較好的定位效果。夾緊是通過手動夾緊，以四個壓板實現(xiàn)夾緊，這樣能很好的防止夾緊力作用下工件產(chǎn)生形變。由于被加工零件體積、重量較大，故采用支承板支承。另外通過夾具誤差設計分析，能夠較好地保證加工精度。
通過這樣的設計來達到加工要求，以便能完成對柴油機氣缸體頂?shù)椎拇帚?，滿足工廠制定的產(chǎn)量。
關鍵詞：組合機床； 夾具； 氣缸體； 銑削
The diesel of the overall modular machine tool and jig for thick mill the surface and bottom of cylinder body of the diesel engine
Abstract: The diesel of the overall modular machine tool and jig are designed for thick mill the surface and bottom of cylinder body of the diesel engine. The system design mainly completes “three charts and a card” about the two-sided mill modular machine-tool. The jig design is to complete the structure plan, the assembly drawing and the parts drawing.
According to the cylinder body size, the shape, the material, processing request and so on spot structure and processing precision, surface roughness, determined selects the horizontal-type two-sided mill aggregate machine-tool; In order to realize the work piece to enter quickly with the labor enters matches by moves the work table; Is processed the plane is the big plane, the material is HT250, therefore cutting tool choice hard alloy face cutter. The jig installs in moves above the work table. In is processed the components the localization aspect, this plan has used "two sells at the same time" the locate mode, by achieves the good localization effect. Clamps is through manual clamps, clamps by four clamps realizations, like this can very good prevent clamps under the action of force the work piece to have the deformation. Because is processed the components volume, the weight is big, therefore uses the support plate supporting. Moreover designs the analysis through the jig error, can guarantee the processing precision well.
I complete the design requirements according to such design, so that I can complete to the diesel engine was mad the cylinder body goes against the bottom the thick mill, satisfy the factory formulation the output.
Key words: modular machine-tool; jig; cylinder body ; milling
畢 業(yè) 設 計 說 明 書
柴油機氣缸體頂?shù)酌娲帚娊M合機床總體及夾具設計
專 業(yè) 機械設計制造及其自動化
學生姓名 陶 金 丞
班 級 B機制023
學 號 0210110333
指導教師 劉 道 標
完成日期 2005年6月3日
鹽城工學院畢業(yè)設計說明書 2006
目 錄
1 前言………………………………………………………………………………1
2 機床總體設計…………………………………………………………………3
2.1 被加工零件分析………………………………………………………………3
2.2 機床結構的確定………………………………………………………………3
2.3 本組合機床的特點………………………………………………………………3
2.4 切削用量的確定………………………………………………………………3
2.5 各部件的造型………………………………………………………………4
2.6 繪制“三圖一卡”………………………………………………………………7
3 夾具設計…………………………………………………………………………………12
3.1 概述……………………………………………………………………………………12
3.2 設計的前期準備………………………………………………………………………13
3.3 定位裝置的確定……………………………………………………………………13
3.4 確定夾緊方案……………………………………………………………………16
3.5 其他元件的設計……………………………………………………………………18
3.6 夾具的公差配合及技術要求…………………………………………………………18
3.7 工序的精度分析……………………………………………………………………21
4 總結………………………………………………………………………………………25
5參考文獻…………………………………………………………………………………26
6 致謝……………………………………………………………………………………27
7 附錄………………………………………………………………………………………28
外文翻譯
專 業(yè) 機械設計及自動化
學 生 姓 名 陶 金 丞
班 級 B機制023班
學 號 0210110333
指 導 教 師 劉 道 標
柔性制造
陶金丞譯
摘要：
在制造中，生產(chǎn)率和柔性之間經(jīng)常存在協(xié)調(diào)一致的問題。在該領域的一端是具有高生產(chǎn)率卻低柔性的連續(xù)生產(chǎn)線；在該領域的另一端是能提供最大柔性的獨立的計算機數(shù)字控制的機床，但它只能進行低生產(chǎn)率的制造。柔性制造出在此連續(xù)統(tǒng)一體中間。在制造中總是需要一個系統(tǒng)，這個系統(tǒng)比單個機床能制造更大批量且用于更多制造過程，但仍保持起柔性。
關鍵詞：柔性制造、協(xié)調(diào)一致
柔性制造的定義：
計算機集成制造的前一部叫做柔性制造。
柔性在現(xiàn)在帶制造環(huán)境中是一個重要的特征。它意味著一個制造系統(tǒng)是用途多且適應性強，同時又能進行產(chǎn)量相對較大的制造。柔性制造系統(tǒng)是多用途的，這是因為它能制造多種多樣的部件。它適應性強，因為它能很快地加以改變來制造完全不同的另一種部件。這種柔性在競爭激烈的國際市場上可能成敗有別。
這是一個平衡的問題。獨立的計算機數(shù)字控制（NC）機床有著高度的柔性，但是只能處理批量相對較小的制造。正相反，系列連續(xù)生產(chǎn)線能進行批來年感較大的制造，但都不靈活。柔性制造試圖運用工業(yè)技術在靈活性與制造運行之間達到最佳的平衡。這些工業(yè)技術包括自動化的材料、處理、成組技術及計算機和分布數(shù)字控制。
柔性制造系統(tǒng)（FMS）是一個獨立的機床或一組機床服務于一個自動材料處理系統(tǒng)/它是由計算機控制的而且有對刀具處理的能力。由于它有刀具處理能力并能受計算機控制，這樣的系統(tǒng)可以不斷地重新配置來制造更加多樣的部件，這就是它被稱作柔性制造系統(tǒng)的原因。
一個制造系統(tǒng)要成為柔性制造系統(tǒng)必須具備的要素有：
1． 計算機控制
2． 自動處理材料能力
3． 刀具處理能力
柔性制造向全面集成化制造的目標邁進了重要的一步。它實現(xiàn)了自動化制造過程的集成化。在柔性制造中，自動化的制造機器（如車床、銑床、鉆床）和自動化材料處理系統(tǒng)之間，通過計算機網(wǎng)絡進行即時的溝通。
柔性制造的概況：
通過綜合幾個自動化的制造概念，柔性制造系統(tǒng)全面集成化的制造目標邁出了重要的一步，這些觀念是：
1． 獨立機床的計算機數(shù)字控制
2． 制造系統(tǒng)的分布式數(shù)字控制
3． 自動化的材料處理系統(tǒng)
4． 成組技術
當這些自動化工藝、機器和觀念合成到一個集成的系統(tǒng)時，就產(chǎn)生柔性制造系統(tǒng)。在柔性制造系統(tǒng)中，人和計算機起了重要作用。當然人的勞動量比手工操作的制造系統(tǒng)要小得多。然而，人仍然在柔性制造系統(tǒng)的操作中起著至關重要的作用。人的任務包括幾個方面：
1． 設備故檢、維護和修理
2． 刀具的變換和設置
3． 安裝和拆卸系統(tǒng)
4． 數(shù)據(jù)輸入
5． 部件程序的變換
6． 程序的開發(fā)
柔性制造制系統(tǒng)設備象所有制造設備一樣，必須友人監(jiān)管以免出現(xiàn)失常、機器程序錯誤，以及故障。當發(fā)現(xiàn)問題時檢修人員必須確定問題的根源，然后給出正確的措施。人還要采取指定的措施來維修運行不正常的機器。甚至當所有系統(tǒng)都正 常運行時，定期的維護也是必要的。
操作人員還要根據(jù)需要設置機床，換刀具、以及重新配置系統(tǒng)。柔性制造系統(tǒng)的刀具處理能力削弱了，但并有消除，在刀具變換和設置上仍需要人力。在裝卸柔性制造系統(tǒng)時也是這樣。一旦原材料被送到自動化材料處理系統(tǒng)上，它就會以規(guī)定的方式，在系統(tǒng)中移動。然而，初裝到材料系統(tǒng)處理系統(tǒng)仍然是由操作人員完成的；成品的拆卸也是同樣。
與計算機的交流仍需人力完成。人開發(fā)零件程序，通過計算機控制柔性制造系統(tǒng)。當重新配置FMS制造另一種類型零件時，他們還在必要的時候變換程序。人在柔性制造系統(tǒng)中勞動力密集型的成分越來越少，但仍然是很重要的。
柔性制造系統(tǒng)中的各層次控制都是由計算機來完成的。在刀具柔性制造系統(tǒng)中獨立的機床是由CNC來控制的。整個的系統(tǒng)是由DNC來控制的。自動化的材料處理系統(tǒng)是由計算機來控制的，其他功能如數(shù)據(jù)收集、系統(tǒng)監(jiān)控、刀具控制、運輸控制也是計算機控制的。人機交互是柔性制造系統(tǒng)中的關鍵。
柔性制造的歷史發(fā)展：
柔性制造產(chǎn)生于20世紀60年代中期，當時英國莫林斯有限公司開發(fā)了24號系統(tǒng)。24系統(tǒng)是一個真正的FMS。然而，它從一開始就注定是失敗的，因為自動化、集成和計算機控制技術還沒有發(fā)展到能夠恰好支持這一系統(tǒng)的程度。第一個FMS是超遷的開發(fā)。因此，最終因不能工作餓被放棄。
再20世紀60年代和70年代的期于時間里，柔性制造仍是一個學術觀念。然而，隨著復雜計算機控制技術在20世紀70年代末和80年代初的出現(xiàn)，柔性制造變成為可能。在美國最初的主要用戶是汽車、卡車和拖拉機制造商。
柔性制造的理由：
在制造中，生產(chǎn)率和柔性之間經(jīng)常存在協(xié)調(diào)一致的問題。在該領域的一端是具有高生產(chǎn)率卻低柔性的連續(xù)生產(chǎn)線；在該領域的另一端是能提供最大柔性的獨立的計算機數(shù)字控制的機床，但它只能進行低生產(chǎn)率的制造。柔性制造出在此連續(xù)統(tǒng)一體中間。在制造中總是需要一個系統(tǒng)，這個系統(tǒng)比單個機床能制造更大批量且用于更多制造過程，但仍保持起柔性。
連續(xù)生產(chǎn)線能以高生產(chǎn)率制造大量的零件。這條生產(chǎn)線需要大量的準備工作，但卻能造出大量的相同的零件。它的主要缺點是即使一個部件雜設計上有小的改變都能造成整個生產(chǎn)線的停產(chǎn)和結構改變。這是一個致命的弱點，因為這意味著沒有高成本，耗時停工和變化生產(chǎn)線結構是不能制造出不同的零件的，即使是來自同一個零件族。
傳統(tǒng)上計算機數(shù)字控制機床是用來制造少量在設計上稍有不同的零件。這種機床很適合這一用途，因為它們能迅速地改變程序開適應設計上小的或者更大的變化。然而，作為獨立的機床它們不能大量地或高生產(chǎn)率地制造零件。
柔性制造系統(tǒng)比獨立的計算機數(shù)控機床具有更大的生產(chǎn)能力和更高的生產(chǎn)率。它們在柔性方面比不上計算機數(shù)字控制機床，但它們卻相差不多，柔性制造的中間性能的特殊意義在于大多數(shù)鑄造要求中等量的的生產(chǎn)率來制造中等量的產(chǎn)品，同時有足夠的的柔性以快速改變結構來制造另一個零件或產(chǎn)品。柔性制造填補了制造中長期存在的空白。
柔性制造以其基本能力給制造者提供了許多優(yōu)點：
1． 族內(nèi)具有柔性在一個零件
2． 隨意進給零件
3． 同時制造不同的零件
4． 準備時間和產(chǎn)品設計到投產(chǎn)的時間減少了
5． 機床的使用更有效
6． 直接和見解的人力成本減少
7． 能加工不同的材料
8． 如一臺機床故障能繼續(xù)進行部分生產(chǎn)
柔性制造系統(tǒng)的軟件：
軟件是驅(qū)動柔性制造系統(tǒng)的主要的不可件的因素。FMS所要求的軟件有兩個基本的層次：1.操作系統(tǒng)軟件和2.應用系統(tǒng)軟件。操作系統(tǒng)軟件是最高層次，是計算機制造商特別規(guī)定的并對應用軟件進行監(jiān)督控制。應用軟件通常是由系統(tǒng)供應商開發(fā)和提供的，它包口所有的FMS的特定程序和例行程序。
FMS的應用軟件是很復雜的，而且具有很強的專利性質(zhì)。對于很多公司來說，它體現(xiàn)了幾百名工人很多年開發(fā)努力的結晶。它通常是由幾個模塊組成。每個模塊又是有由一系列與系統(tǒng)內(nèi)部運行的各種功能相關的計算機沉痼系和例行程序組成。這些包括從FMS主機下載的NC部分程序到機床控制器、運輸和材料順序的開發(fā)、工件的工序、模擬和刀具管理。所有這些軟件模塊必須得到很好的餓設計，并且能夠可預測地、可靠地、相互作用地運行以便FMS能達到最高的運行效率和可接受的水平。設計不好的軟件使制造商不能獲得FMS的充分的柔性和潛能。
由于FMS軟件是柔性制造系統(tǒng)的命脈，它也是一個FMS的最復雜、最難以理解和在戰(zhàn)略上重要的方面。如果構件和編碼得恰當，進行了反復地測試，并且充分地運行的話，它可以使FMS達到前所未有的生產(chǎn)性能水平。應補充說一句，所有完成的FMS軟件只有在客戶的工廠中、完全運行中對該系統(tǒng)徹底的檢查后，才能被認為是可接受的。
軟件設計的模塊化并不一定以為著使用相同或類似的軟件模塊的所有都是一樣的。很多FMS用戶有特殊的和內(nèi)行才懂的各種要求來適應于他們自己的應用和操作考慮。這樣的一些要求可能會包括特殊的FMS軟件模塊來連接一個新的FMS和已存在的自動存儲和檢索系統(tǒng)?；蛘?，使FMS從主機上直接接受生產(chǎn)要求和零件工序信息。
總之，像其他計算機軟件一樣，F(xiàn)MS軟件，就像開發(fā)和為之編碼的人一樣，獨立而各具特點。重要的是生產(chǎn)環(huán)境下它能做什么并運行得如何。
Flexible Manufacturing
Abstract:
In manufacturing there have always been tradeoffs between production rates and flexible. At one end of the spectrum are transfer lines capable of high production rates, but low flexible. At the other end of the spectrum are independent CNC machines that offer m aximum flexible, but are capable only of low production rates. Flexible manufacturing falls in the middle of the continuum. There has always been need in manufacturing for a system that could produce higher volume and production runs than could independent machines, while still maintaining flexibility.
Key words: flexible manufacturing, tradeoffs
Flexible Manufacturing Defined
The step preceding computer-integrated manufacturing is called flexible manufacturing.
Flexible is an important characteristic in the modern manufacturing setting. It means that a manufacturing system is versatile and adaptable, while also capable of handling relatively high production runs. A Flexible manufacturing system is versatile in that it can produce a variety of parts. It is adaptable because it can be quickly modified to produce a completely different line of parts. This flexible can be the difference between success and failure in a competitive international marketplace.
It is a matter of balance. Stand-alone computer numerical control machines have a high degree of flexibility, but are capable of relatively low-volume production runs. As the opposite end of spectrum transfer lines are capable of high-volume runs, but they are not very flexible. Flexible manufacturing is an attempt to use technology in such a way as to achieve the optimum balance between flexibility and production runs. These technologies include automated materials, handing, group technology, and computer and distributed numerical control.
A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is an individual machine or group of machines served by an automated materials handing system that is computer controlled and has a tool handing capability. Because of its tool handling capability and computer control, such a system can be continually reconfigured to manufacture a wide variety of parts. This is why it is called a flexible manufacturing system.
The key elements necessary for a manufacturing system to qualify as an FMS are as follows:
1. Computer control
2. Automated materials handling capability
3. Tool handling capability
Flexible manufacturing represents a major step toward the goal of fully integrated manufacturing. It involves integration of automated production processes. In flexible manufacturing, the automated manufacturing machine (i.e., lathe, mill, dill) and the automated materials handling system share instantaneous communication via a computer network. This is integration on a small scale.
Overview of Flexible Manufacturing
Flexible manufacturing takes a major step toward the goal of fully integrated manufacturing by integrating several automated manufacturing concepts:
1. Computer numerical control (CNC) of individual machine tool
2. Distributed material control (DNC) of manufacturing systems
3. Automated materials handling systems
4. Group technology (families of parts)
When these automated processes, machines, and concepts are brought together in one integrated system, an FMS is the result. Humans and computers play major roles in an FMS. The amount of human labor is much less than with a manually operated manufacturing system, of course. However, humans still play a vital role in the operation of an FMS. Human tasks include the following.
1. Equipment troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair.
2. Tool changing and setup.
3. Loading and unloading the system.
4. Data input.
5. Changing of parts programs.
6. Development of programs.
Flexible manufacturing system equipment, like all manufacturing equipment, must be monitored for bugs, malfunctions, and breakdowns. When a problem is discovered, a human troubleshooter must identify its source and prescribe correctives measures. Humans also undertake the prescribed measures to repair the malfunctioning equipment. Even when all systems are properly functioning, periodic is necessary.
Human operators also set up machines, change tools, and reconfigure systems as necessary, The tool handling capability of an FMS decreases, but does not eliminate, human involvement in tool changing and setup. The same is true of loading and unloading the FMS. Once raw material has been loaded onto the automated materials handling system, it is moved through the system in the prescribed manner. However, the original loading onto the materials handling system is still usually done by human operators, as is the unloading of finishes products.
Humans are also needed for interaction with the computer. Humans develop parts programs that control the FMS via computers. They also change the programs as necessary when reconfiguring the FMS to produce another type of part or parts. Humans play less labor-intensive roles in an FMS, but the roles are still critical.
Control at all levels in an FMS is provided by computers. Individual tools within an FMS are controlled by CNC. The overall system is controlled by DNC. The automated materials handling system is computer controlled, as are other functions including data collection, system monitoring, tool control, and traffic control. Human computer interaction is the key to the flexibility of an FMS.
Historical Development of Flexible Manufacturing
Flexible manufacturing was born in the mid-1960s when the British firm Molins, Ltd. developed its System 24. System24 was a real FMS. However, it was doomed from the outset because automation, integration, and computer control technology had not yet been developed to the point where they could properly support the system. The first FMS was a development that was ahead of its time. As such, it was eventually discarded as unworkable.
Flexible manufacturing remained an academic concept through the remainder of the 1960s and 1970s. However, with the emergence of sophisticated computer control technology on the late 1970s and early 1980s, flexible manufacturing became a viable concept. The first major users of flexible manufacturing in the United States were manufacturing if automobiles, trucks, and tractors.
Rationale for Flexible Manufacturing
In manufacturing there have always been tradeoffs between production rates and flexible. At one end of the spectrum are transfer lines capable of high production rates, but low flexible. At the other end of the spectrum are independent CNC machines that offer maximum flexible, but are capable only of low production rates. Flexible manufacturing falls in the middle of the continuum. There has always been need in manufacturing for a system that could produce higher volume and production runs than could independent machines, while still maintaining flexibility.
Transfer lines are capable of producing large volumes of parts at high production rates. The line takes a great deal of setup, but can turn out identical parts in large quantities. Its chief shortcoming is that even minor design changes in a part can cause the entire line to be shut down and reconfigured. This is a critical weakness because it means that transfer lines cannot produce different parts, even parts from within the same family, without costly and time-consuming shutdown ad reconfiguration.
Traditionally, CNC machines have been used to produce small volumes of parts that differ slightly in design. Such machines are ideal for this purpose because they can be quickly reprogrammed to accommodate minor or even major design changes. However, as independent machines they cannot produce parts in large volumes or at high production rates.
An FMS can handle higher volumes and production rates than independent CNC machines. They cannot quite match such machines for flexible, but they come close. What is particularly significant about the middle ground capabilities of flexible is that most manufacturing situations require medium production rates to produce medium volumes with enough flexibility to quickly reconfigure to produce another part or product. Flexible manufacturing fills this long-standing void in manufacturing.
Flexible manufacturing, with its ground capabilities, Flexible offers a number of advantages for manufacturers:
1. Flexible within a family of parts.
2. Random feeding of parts.
3. Simultaneous production of different parts.
4. Decreased setup time and lead time.
5. More efficient machine usage.
6. Decreased direct and indirect labor costs.
7. Ability to handle different materials.
8. Ability to continue some production if one machine breaks down.
FMS Software
Software is the vital invisible element that actually drives the FMS. There are basic levels of software required for an FMS: 1.operating system; 2.application software. Operating system software is the highest lever, is computer manufacturer specific, and executes supervisory control over the application software. Application software is usually developed and supplied by the system supplied and includes all the FMS specific programs and routines.
Application software for an FMS is complex, highly proprietary, and for many companies, represents several hundred worker-years of development effort. Generally, it is composed of several modules, each of which is made up of a series of computer programs and routines relating to various functions performed within the system. These include NC part programs download from the FMS host computer to machine tool controllers, traffic and material-handling management, work-order generation, work piece scheduling, simulation, and tool management. All these software modules must be well designed and function predictably, reliably, and interactively in order fir the FMS to perform at peak operating efficiencies and acceptable levels. Poorly designed software prevents manufacturers form achieving the full flexibility and potential capacity of FMS.
FMS software, because it is the life blood of a flexible manufacturing system, is also the most complex, least understood, and strategically important aspect of an FMS. Structures and coded properly, tested rigorously, and functioning adequately, it can make an FMS productive at unprecedented performance levels. It should be added that all completed FMS software can only be considered acceptable after it has been thoroughly checked out with the system in complete operation in the customer’s plant.
Modularity of software design does not necessarily imply that all system using the same or similar software modules are created equal. Many FMS users have highly specific and esoteric requirements to suit their own applications and operating concerns. Some of these might include specific FMS software modules to couple an already existing automatic storage and retrieval system (ASRS) to a new FMS or to have the FMS directly receive production requirements and part scheduling information from the host computer.
Overall, FMS software, like other types of computer software, is as different and autonomous as the people who develop and code it. What counts is what it does and how well it performs in a manufacturing environment.
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