外文翻译---FMS(柔性制造系统);定义与描述

FMS: DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION

Summary：

1. Flexible manufacturing systems are regarded as one of the most efficient methods to employ in reducing or eliminating problems in manufacturing industries.

2. Definitions of FMS vary depending on industry type and the user’s point of view.

3. FMS enables manufacturers to machine a wide of workpieces on few machines with low staffing levels, productively, reliably, and predictably.

4. FMS is made up of hardware elements (machine tools, movable pallets, material-handling equipment, coordinate measuring machines, computer hardware equipment, and the like)and software elements ( NC programs, inspection programs, work-order files, and FMS software ). The sophisticated FMS software is what actually drives the system.

5. A true FMS can handle a wide variety of different parts, producing them one at a time in random order.

6. FMS is not an end in itself, but a means to an end and the natural partner to integrate to existing CAD/CAM systems and progress toward CIM.

Key words: FMS NC CAM CAD

Definitions of FMS，or Flexible Manufacturing Systems ,are plentiful and in many respects are dependent on the ultimate user’s point of view as to what the FMS consists of and how it will be used. However, the following represent a collection of FMS definitions, some traceable and some not traceable to their originating source. 1. United States Government: A series of automatic machine tool or items of fabrication equipment linked together with an automatic material handling system, a common hierarchical digital preprogrammed computer control, and provision for random fabrication of parts or assemblies that fall within predetermined families.

2. Kearney and Trecker：A FMS is a group of NC machine tools that can randomly process a group of parts, having automated material handling and central computer control to dynamically balance resource utilization so that the system can adapt automatically to changes in parts production, mixes, and levels of output.

3. FMS is a randomly loaded automated system based on group technology manufacturing linking integrated computer control and a group of machines to automatically produce and handle(move) parts for continuous serial processing.

4. FMS combines microelectronics and mechanical engineering to bring the economics of scale to batch work. A central on-line computer controls the machine tools，other workstations, and the transfer of components and tooling, The computer

also provides monitoring and information control. This combination of flexibility and overall control makes possible the production of a wide range of products in small numbers.

5. A process under control to produce varieties of components or products within its stated capability and to a predetermined.

6. A technology which will help achieve leaner factories with better response times, lower unit costs, and higher quality under an improved level of management and capital control.

Regardless of how broadly or narrowly FMS is defined, several key items emerge as critical to a general definition of FMS, and repeat themselves through a cross-section of standard definitions. Words like NC machine tools, automatic material handling system, central computer controlled, randomly loaded, linked together and flexible, all serve to help define a very general description and definition of FMS.

Flexible manufacturing systems are based on modular part producing machinery machine tools, or injection molding machines, for example, and a wide variety of ancillary support equipment , linked and integrated together under central computer control to produce a variety of component in random order.

Basically, a FMS is made up of hardware and software elements. Hardware elements are visible and tangible such as CNC machine tools, pallet queuing carousels (part parking lots), material handling equipment (robots or automatic guided vehicles), central chip removal and coolant systems, tooling system, coordinate measuring machines(CMMs), part cleaning stations, and computer hardware equipment. Software elements are invisible and intangible such as NC programs, traffic management software, tooling information, CMM program work-order files .and sophisticated FMS software. A typical FMS layout and its major identifiable components can be seen in Fig-1.

A true FMS can handle a wide variety of dissimilar parts, producing them one at a time, in any order ,as needed (very few so-called FMSs meet this strict definition ). To adapt efficiently in this mode, a FMS must have several types of flexibility. It needs the flexibility to adapt to varying volume requirements and changing part mixes, to accept new parts, and to accommodate design an engineering modifications. FMS also requires the flexibility to cope with unforeseen and unpredictable. FMS also requires the flexibility to cope with unforeseen and unpredictable such as machine downtime problems or last minute schedule changes; and the ability to grow with the times through system expansion and configuration, improvements, and alterations. These types of flexibility are made possible through computers and appropriate FMS software.

In the long rage, FMS is the natural partner for CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) and CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) which ultimately all server to bring a product from design from design to reality by the most efficient and cost-efficient means.

In a FMS installation, the moment-by-moment functions, actions, and decisions are inherent within the system-operating completely without (or with very little) human

intervention. These moment-by-moment activities involve not only material handling, but also inspection, part washing, tool storage, fixturing, and warehousing, in addition to downloading of NC programs and other normal machine functions.

Depending on a company’s specific manufacturing needs, a FMS may or may not be the answer. The graph in Fig-2 illustrates the range of application solutions available for a given set of workpiece volume and variety requirements. A FMS is set apart from any other kind of manufacturing system, such as a transfer line used in high volume automotive applications, because of its ability to accept parts or components in varying quantities, in random order. Thus, a FMS can be designed to process any product, in an volume, in any order, within the family of components designed for the system./

By definition, a FMS can simultaneously process a variety of workpieces, using tooling and fixturing made available at the right machine, at the right time, and in the right sequence. The FMS computer functions to identify these needs and allocates resources in the from of tooling, fixtures, material movement, and NC and inspection programs in order to fulfill predetermined work order requirements.

Is there an optimum size of FMS? At the present time the answer is no; size depends on users’ needs and resources. The number of NC machines in a system, for example, can be as low as one or two. This can provide a starting point for those who wish to take advantage of FMS in a step-by-step or phased-in approach. Generally, the number of processing machines or machine tools is three to ten.

But what about the evolution of FMS.

The concept of flexible manufacturing systems was born in London in the 1960s when David Williamson, a research and development engineer, came up with both the name and the concept. At the time he was thinking in terms of a flexible machining system, and it was in a machine shop that the first FMS was installed. His concept was called System 24 because it was scheduled to operate for 24 hours a day under the control of a computer, but otherwise unmanned on the 16-hour night shift. This simple concept of decentralized computer control of machine tools, combined with the idea of using machine tools for 24 hours per day (16 unmanned on night shift ), was the beginning of FMSs.

Williamson planned to use NC (numerically controlled) machines to work out a series of machining operations on a wide range of detail parts. Workpieces would be loaded manually on pallets, which would then be delivered to the machines and loaded automatically when needed. Each machine would be equipped with a magazine from which tools could be selected systematically to perform a variety of different operations. Included in this overall process were systems for removing chips and cleaning workpieces. Included in this overall process were systems for removing chips and cleaning workpicecs. This system combined the versatility of computer-controlled machines with very low manning levels.

With the growth in computer-controlled equipment and broader applications developing from metal forming to assembly, the concept of “flexible machining systems” was broadened to become what is known today as “flexible manufacturing systems,” or FMS.

As the first FMS systems were installed in Europe, they followed Williamson’s concept, and users quickly discovered that the principles would be ideal for the manufacture of low-volume, high-variety products. The addition of refinements to a FMS to detect and compensate for tool wear were then added to further aid unattended FMS operations. These first FMSs on the market had dual computers: DNC(direct numerical control) for cell control functions and a separate computer to the traffic and management information systems.

Since the 1970s there has been an explosion in system controls and operational enhancements. The programmable controller appeared in the late 1970s. and the personal computer emerged utilizing distributed logic control with many levels of intelligent decision making capabilities.

Thus, through a conceptual idea originating with David Williamson, it became possible to machine a wide variety of workpieces on few machines with low manning levels productively, reliably, and predictably; this is what FMS is all about. In almost any manufacturing industry, FMS will pay dividends as long as it is applied in its broad sense, and not just to define a machining system.

The FMS has evolved rapidly and will continue to evolve because technology continues to evolve, global competition intensifies, and the concept of flexible manufacturing gains wider acceptance. The growth of flexible manufacturing is projected to increase steadily in the years ahead.

In 1984, 56 percent of all FMSs were used for manufacturing machinery and 41 percent for manufacturing transportation components. Construction and material-handling industries will comprise around 12 percent of the user market in the early 1990s as their adoption of FMS increases.

Flexible automation is presently feasible for a few machining operations that account for a fraction of the total manufacturing process. However, development efforts continue to expand the FMS’s capabilities in the areas of improved diagnostics and sensors, high speed, noncontact, on-line inspection, multifunction or quick spindle head changing machine tools, and extending flexible automation to include forming, heat treating, and assembly. This is why FMS continues to grow and prosper. It feeds on technology evolving and expanding as technology itself evolves and expands.

FMS(柔性制造系统)；定义与描述

摘要:

1.柔性制造系统被认为是在减少或消除加工企业问题方面所采用的作为有效的方法之一.

2.FMS定义取决于企业类型和用户的观点.

3.FMS是制造商在很少的机器上无需较高的人员水平便能高效可靠地加工出各种预期的工件.

4.FMS由硬件(机场、移动托盘、物料处理装置,坐标测量机、计算机硬件等等)和软件(NC程序,检查程序,工作清单文件,FMS软件)组成,复杂的FMS实际上由软件驱动着系统.

5.一个真正的FMS可处理各种不同的工件,在某一个时间内加工其中任一规格的品种.

6.FMS不是自身的最终目标,而是达到最终目标的工具,是集成CAD/CAM系统向CIM迈进的自然伙伴.

关键词：柔性制造系统数控技术计算机辅助制造计算机辅助设计

FMS或柔性制造系统的定义很多，很多方面取决于最终用户对于FMS的组成、如何使用的观念。如下汇集了有来源和无来源的FMS 的定义。

1.美国政府；一系列自动机床和分项组合机床通过一个自动物料

处理系统连接，一个可预编程的普通级计算机控制，为在已知范围里的可变结构的零部件提供加工条件。

2.Kearney and trecker；FMS是一组可任意加工一组零件的数控机床，由自动物料处理系统联接和中央计算机控制，可动态平衡资源的利用，这样系统可自动适应生产、装配和产量的变化。

3.FMS是一个任意负荷的自动系统，它基于成组加工技术，将计算机集成控制技术与一组加工设备组合起来，在连续串行加工过程中自动生产和处理（移动）工件。

4.FMS融合了微电子技术和机械工程技术，为批量生产带来了规模经济。一个在线的中央计算机控制着机床和其他工作站以及工件刀具的传输，该计算机还能进行监测和信息流控制，将全局控制和柔性组合起来，使得小批量多品种的生产成为可能。

5.可控的加工过程按预先规划的要求在其能力许可范围内生产各种元件和产品。

6. 一项旨于帮助较弱小企业在提高管理和资金运作水平的基础上，获得更佳的反应时间、更低的单元和更高的产品质量的技术。

无论FMS定义的宽与窄，作为一般FMS的定义的主要内容中出现了一些关键词，并在上述标准定义上反复出现过。关键词如NC机床，自动物料系统，中央计算机控制，随机负载，联接和柔性，所有这些有助于给FMS下总定义玉描述。

柔性制造系统是基于模型化工件的生产机器（例如机床、注塑机）和各种辅助设备，通过中央计算机控制将他们集成在一起，可根据随

机次序生产各种零件的系统。

FMS基本上由硬件和软件部分组成。硬件部分为可视的有形实体如CNC机床、安放可交换工件的托盘（安放很多任务件）、物料处理设备（机器人或自动导向小车）、集中除屑和冷却系统、刀具系统、坐标测量机（CMMS）、工件清洗站以及计算机硬件设备。软件是不可见的、无形内容，如NC程序、运输管理软件、刀具信息、CMM编程命令文件和复杂的FMS软件，图-1所示的是典型FMS布局和主要组成部件。

一个真正意义上的FMS是可以根据任意次序在同一个时间段内处理并生产出差异较大的工件（一般所谓的FMS很难达到这一严格定义），为了有效地适应这一模式，一个FMS必须具备几种柔性，它需具有适应可变批量的要求，变化工件组合，接纳新工件，可允许工程设计和修改的柔性，FMS还要具有应付不可预见和意外干扰的柔性，如机床误工问题和最后时刻计划的改变，并且能够不断扩大并能改进、改变系统配置。通过计算机和适当的ＦＭＳ软件实现这种柔性是可能的。

在很大范围内，ＦＭＳ是ＣＡＤ（计算机辅助设计）和ＣＡＭ（计算机辅助制造）的自然伙伴，它们通过最高效率和最经济的方法设计产品并最终加工出成品。

在一个ＦＭＳ装置中，分段的功能、动作和决策都固化在操作系统中，完全不要（或很少要）人的干预，分段的操作不仅包括物料处理，也包括监控、清洗部件、贮存刀具、安装、入库，另外还有下载

ＮＣ程序和机器的其他常规功能。

FMS能否满足要求取决于一个公司特定的生产需求。图-2列举了为满足工件多品种、定批量的要求而提供的解决方案。FMS有别于任何其他制造系统（如应用于高形体汽车的运输线），因为它能随意地接受各种数量的零部件。因此，FMS可以设计成在容许的零部件范围内处理任何批量、任何规格的各类产品的系统。

根据定义，FMS可通过在适当的机床上适时按序地采用所需的刀具和工装，同时处理多个工件。FMS计算机的功能就是识别这些需要，并分配刀具、工装、搬运物料NC和监视程序运行,以达到预期的工作指令的要求.

有最佳大小的FMS吗?目前的答案是没有,大小取决于用户的需求和资源情况,例如系统中NC机床数量最少只有一到二台,这能为那些想逐步或分阶段利用FMS优势的人们提供一个起点.

一般来说,处理装置或机床为三到十台.

摘要:

1.柔性制造系统被认为是在减少或消除加工企业问题方面所采用的作为有效的方法之一.

2.FMS定义取决于企业类型和用户的观点.

3.FMS是制造商在很少的机器上无需较高的人员水平便能高效可靠地加工出各种预期的工件.

4.FMS由硬件(机场、移动托盘、物料处理装置,坐标测量机、计算机硬件等等)和软件(NC程序,检查程序,工作清单文件,FMS软件)

组成,复杂的FMS实际上由软件驱动着系统.

5.一个真正的FMS可处理各种不同的工件,在某一个时间内加工其中任一规格的品种.

6.FMS不是自身的最终目标,而是达到最终目标的工具,是集成CAD/CAM系统向CIM迈进的自然伙伴.

但是柔性制造系统是如何产生的呢？

20世纪60年代在英国伦敦，一个叫大卫·威廉姆斯的创新研究工程师提出了柔性制造系统的概念和想法。当时他是一家机械商店里构思柔性制造系统，后来这家商店成为了第一台FMS机器的诞生地。他计划让机器在电脑的控制下每天24小时运作，因此给他的想法起来个名字叫系统-24。但是那台机器在没有人操作的情况下只运行了16个小时。全部交由电脑控制机床刀具的运行并且结合了每天连续运作24小时（或者16小时无人监控作业）的想法就是FMS的起源。

威廉姆斯准备用数控机床制定出较宽范围内的一系列机器运作方式。用人工的方式把工件装载到托盘上，然后有机器运走并保存，当需要时再自动由机器装载并运输。每一台机器都必须配备贮存库以便于在执行不同的操作时能够从中系列化地悬着不同的刀具进行工作。其中清洁工件和除屑系统也包含整个过程中。这种系统综合了较低人工操作性和电脑控制的全面性。

随着数控装置的广泛运用和实施，人们对他的理解也更加集中。现如今人们对“柔性机械系统”的概念已经更加广泛的理解为“柔性制造系统”或者说是FMS。

伴随着第一台FMS系统在欧洲的安装，威廉姆斯想法的继承者和使用者很快就发现FMS的原理将会成为制造厂生产体积小、款式多样化产品的理想系统。为了使无人FMS系统的发展人们系统上做了很有价值的改进，那就是添加了侦测和补偿刀具磨损的装置。第一批装有FMS系统的机器都装有两个电脑控制，一个是DNC（直接数字控制）用来控制单元功能，另一个是独立的检测运输和管理信息系统的电脑。

自从20世纪70年代以来FMS就在增强从操作性能和系统控制上发生了剧变。到了70年代末就出现了可编程控制的操纵器，同时随着个人电脑的出现人们可以利用分散逻辑制造多层次的智能决策能力。

因此通过大卫·威廉姆斯这种概念性的想法，使得这种低人工操作要求、可靠地、可预见地可以以少量机器加工较宽范围的工件的机器成为了可能。这就是FMS的产生。几乎在所有的机械制造行业，FMS 的收益不仅仅在于定义了一种机械系统同时也是应用了一种较宽范围的判断力。

由于柔性制造的观念得到了较宽范围的接受、全球范围的竞争的加剧,FMS正在快速的发展同时还会持续发展下去。柔性制造在头几年里得到了稳定的快速的成长。

在1984年，56%的FMS机器用于机械制造，同时41%的用于运输零件。随着FMS的增长，在20世纪90年代，建筑业和手工制造业也占据了12%的FMS机器使用市场。

柔性自动化技术是目前少部分制造过程中以机械控制运作原理的可行方案。现在，其发展成果已经扩展到FMS能力所及的多方面领域，如改善诊断系统和传感器、在线检测、多功能、快速、无连接、快速轴头改变刀具。同时柔性自动化技术已经扩展到包括生产、热处理和组装等领域。这就是FMS发展和成功的原因。他伴随着科技的发展而发展。