Integrating manufacturing resources planning (MRP II) with flexible manufacturing systems (FMS)

Abstract

Abstract This paper will describe the gap that exists between the Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRP II) system and the Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) and discuss several approaches for closing the gap. Considerable effort has gone into developing and integrating the various modules in the MRP II system. The modules for business planning, production planning, master production scheduling, material requirement planning, capacity requirements planning, and shop floor control have been integrated into a comprehensive computer package for planning and controlling manufacturing. At the same time, a similar effort has been underway to develop and integrate the several subsystems of a FMS. In particular, a number of computer control systems have been developed to automatically plan and control the operations of NC machines with automated tool changers, automated material handling, and automated test and inspection equipment. Unfortunately these two efforts have proceeded relatively independently with little interaction between the two groups. If computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) is to become a reality, the resulting gap must be closed, and closed rapidly.