Manufacturing Component Base Broadening in the Flexible Manufacturing System by Using a Group Technology

Abstract

The engineering production is currently characterized by frequent changes. These changes are caused because the life cycle of products is shortened. Producers must introduced the upgraded products in a shorter interval. In this article we will focus on identifying the possibilities of production innovation in the flexible manufacturing system. An analysis of the production possibilities of one of the production machines in the flexible production system will be carried out. This production machine is a lathe that produces one basic part of the finished product. We will determine what variants of this component can be manufactured without changing the physical configuration of the machine.

Group technology in flexible manufacturing

“…The most used method, and also the most expensive, is part sorting and coding. Component sorting and coding involves identifying similarities and differences between components and the relationship of these components using a common coded scheme [6]. Most classifications and coding systems are as follows:…”

“…Based on the geometric and technological similarity of the individual elements of this family of parts, a fictitious complex part was created, which contains all shapes from this family of parts [6].…”