Physical Components of FMS

Basic features of the physical components of an FMS are explained below:

Numerical Control Machine Tools

Machine tools are considered to be the major building blocks of an FMS as they determine the degree of flexibility and capabilities of the FMS. Some of the features of machine tools are described below:

• The majority of FMSs utilize horizontal & vertical spindle machines. Though, machining centres along vertical spindle machines have lesser flexibility than horizontal machining centres.
• Machining centres contain numerical control on movements made in all directions, for example spindle movement in x, y and z directions, rotation of tables, tilting of table etc. to make sure the high flexibility.
• The machining centres are capable to perform a wide variety of operations for example, drilling, turning, contouring etc. They contain the pallet exchangers interfacing along material handling devices that carry the pallets in and between machining centres in addition to automated storage and retrieval systems.