Design process model for flexible manufacturing systems and application of TAI

Abstract

In this paper, a systematic design process model is proposed to model Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS). Generally, FMS systems design is complicated and cost very high as installation phase. Therefore, technical analysis of system design should be exact and accurate even for the installation phase. At this stage, the proposed model is Integration Definition for Function Modeling (IDEF) diagram which is a structured design technique. Proposed model is exemplified with a practical example in TAI which is operating in the aerospace industry. The performance of the proposed model is analyzed using simulation and queueing network technique. In the performance analysis, test parameters are determined as service rates, number of servers, routing information and number of transporters and also performance parameters are determined cycle time and machine utilization.