A Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) is an integrated network of automated machines and tools capable of adapting to variable product volumes and types.
FMS consists of a set of automated machines controlled by a central computer, allowing for flexibility in manufacturing operations. It enables quick adaptation to changes in product types and volumes, enhancing production efficiency and reducing downtime. FMS is particularly important in industries that require rapid transition between different product lines without extensive downtime.
A manufacturing facility utilizes an FMS with CNC machining centers and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to produce both automotive engine components and medical device housings.
This flexibility allows the facility to seamlessly switch production lines over a single shift, optimizing resource use in a high-mix, low-volume environment.
An FMS in an aerospace parts manufacturer uses robotic arms and conveyor systems to assemble different aircraft wing sections, modulating between different component specifications seamlessly.
Such systems are frequently employed in aerospace fabrication facilities where precision and rapid reconfiguration for different aircraft models are required.