Paul G. Ranky

FMS in CIM (flexible manufacturing systems in computer integrated manufacturing)

Computer Integrated Manufacture (CIM) is concerned with providing computer assistance, control and high level integrated automation at all levels of the manufacturing industries, including the business data processing system, CAD, CAM and FMS, by linking islands of automation into a distributed processing system. The technology applied in CIM makes intensive use of distributed computer networks and data processing techniques, Artificial Intelligence and Database Management Systems. FMS in this aspect plays the role of a highly efficient and “ready to react to random requests” manufacturing facility (e.g. machining, test, assembly, welding, etc.) in this “total concept”. (Figure 1)

Programming industrial robots in FMS (A survey with particular reference to off-line, high-level robot program generation using VAL, VAL-II, AML And MARTI)

There is a great deal to be done in machine tool and robot programming research. The major problems include the slowness of the introduction of machine controllers, which have similar operating system and interfacing capabilities as the current 16 bit and 32 bit microcomputers, and the lack of intelligent, high-level standard languages, providing access not only at a high level, but also at the robot system programming level. The introduced and illustrated “MARTI” off-line robot program generator, under development by the author, attempts to provide software in this area.

Introduction to the special FMS issue

It is pleasant to realise that every leading institution and manufacturing company in the world is dealing with some aspects of flexible automation, because many researchers and managers in industry have found that the concept of designing and making goods and products on order, rather than for stock, is the key issue in order to cut down manufacturing costs and lead time, and eventually to stay in business in the future.