Abstract
FMS layout design is a complex process, involving a large number of alternatives, which contributes generously to the usual two-year FMS planning lead time. The need for a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use methodology or tool which can reduce this large number of alternatives to a more reasonable figure has motivated this research. A survey of existing FMSs was undertaken with the intention of identifying some of the more common (dominant) types of layouts, and to develop, if possible, a methodology for the selection of such layouts. However, almost every FMS was found to have a unique layout. For a given FMS under consideration, the capabilities with respect to the parts which can be manufactured is essentially given. The determining features of the resultant design of the FMS, therefore, are primarily based upon the design of the material handling system which integrates the FMS. However, as the number of machines in a FMS increase, the number of part sequences and alternate configurations increase at a dr...
Published Version
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