Revolution in Automation

Mariano Perez Chaher & Alexander Möllers

Department of Mathematics and Sciences

1 Introduction 5 Conclusions
Company’s portfolios are always growing. With a higher variety of It is possible to optimize an FMS to a high variety of demand
products different operations are also needed. In order to improve scenario and it would have positive effects on a company. However
their performance in such situations organizations can opt to in reality every situation is unique and will require different
implement a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) approaches.
An FMS consist of a series of machines set in a specific order, where Therefore further research should be conducted into simulation
every machine is able to perform different operations on different techniques in order to determine empirical solutions that are
products by independently changing its tools or software. applicable for specific companies
It is important for organizations to determine how and when to
implement one in order to optimize it effectiveness.

2 Analysis
4 Optimization
To focus on a goal the following research question is formulated:

3 Flexible Manufacturing
How can a Flexible Manufacturing System be optimized to meet a
high variety of demand?
In this context the problem owner is considered to be the Process After thorough literature analysis different methods to optimize an
Engineers who are in charge of designing the new manufacturing Flexibility of a manufacturing line is determined by its ability to [1]: FMS are suggested. These methods can be divided into the
line.  Rapidly switch between operations hardware and software of the FMS.
Other important stakeholders considered in this thesis include:  Changeover its physical set-up Changing the layout allows reduction of Work in Progress and
Managers, Customers, Suppliers and Employees congestion in the system[2]
 Differentiate between different parts and determine adequate operations
Following is a graphical representation of the system analyzed, On the software side it is possible to improve and change the
Two important underlying concepts of FMSs are automation and cellular
where the different inputs, outputs and relations between each code to reduce errors or introduce prediction algorithms (MPC)
manufacturing.
element can be observed: Following is a table of the various optimization methods suggested
To determine the differences between flexible system and a conventional
and explained in the thesis:
production system following is a table of differences:
Hardware Software
Category Flexible Conventional Layout Type (Closed Loop) Self-diagnostic software
Set-Up Defined Variable
Random-Order FMS Adaptive Software
WIP Low High
Determine optimal WIP MPC algorithm
Flexibility High Low
Soft automation
Scrap Low Unpredictable
Labor Low High References
Equipment Cost High (Short-term) Low (Short-term) [1] H. Tempelmeier and H. Kuhn, Flexible Manufacturing Systems, New York:
Queuing Low High Wiley, 1993
Automation High Low [2] M. P. Groover, Automation, Production Systems, And Computer-Integrated
Manufacturing, Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2008.