Flexible Manufacturing Systems: background examples and models

In this paper, we discuss recent innovations in manufacturing technology and their implications on the design and control of manufacturing systems. Recognizing the need to respond properly to rapidly changing market demands, we discuss several types of flexibility that can be incorporated in our production organisation to achieve this goal. We show how the concept of a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) naturally arises as an attempt to combine the advantages of traditional Job Shops and dedicated production lines.The main body of the paper is devoted to a classification of FMS problem areas and a review of models developed to understand and solve these problems. For each problem area, a number of important contributions in the literature is indicated. The reader, interested in the applications of Operations Research models but not familiar with the technical background of FMS’s, will find the descriptions of some essential FMS elements useful. Some final remarks and directions for future research conclude the paper.<br/

A função de controle nos sistemas integrados de manufatura

Faz-se uma proposição de vários conceitos atinentes ao gerenciamento da produção, muitos dos quais são válidos também para os Sistemas de Manufatura Convencional, mas que estão aqui colocados dentro do contexto dos Sistemas Integrados de Manufatura (SIMs), que são os sistemas desenvolvidos sob a filosofia de fabricação CIM ('Computer Integrated Manufacturing = Manufatura Integrada por Computador). Mostra-se que a integração depende basicamente da função controle.<br>Manufacturing integration is reviewed and various concepts and definitions founded in literature are presented for conventional and automated manufacturing systems. The survey emphasizes information system management and control importance in order to improve manufacturing functions integration