Modeling and Simulation of Row based Flexible Manufacturing Systems

摘要

This paper discusses about modeling and simulation of flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) in one or multiple rows. Poor layout would result in more parts spending longer time moving from one machine to another, and thus results in increased material handling cost. Developing an optimum layout is concerned with the location and arrangement of manufacturing facilities, cells or machines within the cells while minimizing cost. The layout problem is assignment of m machines to m locations and is known to be a NP hard problem. The layout design problem is both tactically and strategically important since the layout plays a larger role in determining the efficiency and flexibility of the system. Simulation enables more efficient planning of the whole manufacturing process, easy modifications before implementation on the real system A model of a layout both in single and multi row that may contain a number of manufacturing cells, input and output buffers and operators used as a means of transport in FMS is built by flex-sim software, for different arrangement of devises and an analysis is done on the model. By performing simulation on the model the most favourable number of rows and the sequence of devices in the individual rows are established.