ABSTRACT
A typical Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) consists of a group of Numerical Control (NC) machine tools connected by an automated material handling system (MHS) under the guidance of a central supervisory computer. These systems emulate the flexibility of job shops while retaining the efficiency of dedicated production lines. In the beginning of the planning horizon, two problems arise: First, the determination of production requirements, and Second, the route that each part should take. For smooth operation of an FMS, it is necessary that the problems involved in the selection stage and operation stage of an FMS are addressed properly. The decisions involving setting-up of an FMS prior to production are very complex. To alleviate the complexity, K. E. Stecke disaggregated the system planning problem into five sub-problems: part grouping, machine loading, part routing, machine grouping, and production ratio setting. This chapter also presents some key concepts of this book.
