The workflow of the flexible manufacturing system on a general level

The workflow of the FMS:

A-B Parts are clamped on an empty pallet and the operator loads the pallet using the control system and sends the pallet to the route. If the machine tool specified in the job sequence is not available, the pallet enters the storage to wait for its turn. C When a machine tool specified in the job sequence becomes available the pallet is transported to the machine tool. D Job sequences of the pallet are processed in the same or in several different machine tools depending on the machine tool data in the job sequences and the availability of tools on the machine tools. E If one or more of the required machine tools are occupied, the pallet waits in the storage until the machine tool specified in the job sequence becomes available or the operator decides otherwise. F If machining of a job sequence fails, the pallet is transported to the storage to wait for operator actions. G When all job sequences are processed, the pallet is transported to the storage to wait for unloading or, if there is no queue, directly to the loading station. H
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The operator removes the ready parts from the pallet on the loading station and unloads the pallet using the control system. Three main parts of a FMS: Generally, a flexible manufacturing system consists of three main parts: the machine tools, an automatic transfer system with storage, and a control system that is responsible for the overall process control. 1) Machine tools are generally horizontal machining centers that provide the highest machine flexibility but also vertical machining centers can be used. A machining center can use a large variety of tools for machining the parts. A horizontal machining center can also perform turning operations. This kind of a machine tool can machine a wide variety of parts. However, the most important thing is the fact that a machining center has a common mechanical interface to all workpieces. The machining pallet is a job carrier that can carry one or more machining jobs for different parts to the machine tool without setup. This feature enables processing of a wide variety of jobs. This is sometimes called chaotic production. 2) The most common transfer system is a rail-guided vehicle (RGV) that can handle machining pallets. Other types of transfer systems can also be used, for example automated guided vehicles (AGV) or conveyor systems. Standard industrial robots are also gaining popularity. Fastems uses rail-guided stacker cranes in its FPC, FPM, and MLS systems and Fanuc industrial robots in robot cells (RPC). 3) The role of the control system is to keep automatic production running based on embedded algorithms, parameters, and production orders. The FMS control system is the master controller and the machine controllers are slaves. The FMS control system also enables unmanned production ranging from a few