V. Writing.

Ex.1. Render the text in writing.

Головною ідеєю тексту є думка про те, що системний підхід до виробничої автоматизації знаходить інтегровані рішення для інтегрованих проблем. Неможливо переоцінити той факт, що успішне впровадження виробничої автоматизації починається з виробничої стратегії. Багато уваги приділяється стосункам між постачальниками та користувачами. Підкреслюється теза, що співробітництво останніх дає найбажаніші прибутки від інвестування стосовно гнучких виробничих систем. У тексті розглянуті три основні елементи виробничої автоматизації, які й роблять її інтегрованою.

Ex.2. Write an abstract to the text.

FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS — PLANNING FOR SUCCESS

Flexible machining systems (FMS) can provide respond profitably to market changes in product size, mix and confi­guration. These systems usually consisting of numerically controlled machines and automated material handling sys­tems, are designed to completely machine families of parts without being touched by human hands. If properly configu­red, an FMS should be able to handle changes in product de­sign for a family of parts. However, the FMS is not a panacea that will solve all flexibility problems. The investment is high, and profits are going to be more difficult to make in the future. An FMS that is not properly utilized can be a drain on profits rather than a profit builder. We recently surveyed several flexible machining systems. One result was shat­tering — 50 % of these installations were financial disasters. The main reason for this high failure rate is that manufac­turing engineers and equipment suppliers have not properly directed their planning efforts. In most cases the machine tools are the focus of their attention, but usually the selection of machines presents the least problem. Most often, an FMS is made up of tried and proven elements such as machining centers, material handling equipment and a computer. The elements that are untried and usually custom-tailored to each system are the fixturing, tooling, and scheduling. It is these latter parts that determine how successful the FMS will be.

Fixtures. The fixturing parts going into FMS must be simple, fast and accurate. In most cases, this leads to designing an FMS that works on parts which are qualified on separate machines before entering the high investment FMS.

Our overall assessment indicates that traditional fixturing used on manual machines or free-standing machines usually isn't compatible with the capabilities of an FMS. The best use of an FMS is to completely machine the part in one step, and in order to machine the part on five sides, while holding on one side, the fixturing cannot surround the part.

Tooling. Another element of a highly productive FMS is the tooling and its application. Wherever possible, the traditio­nal single-point cutting tool should be avoided.

An FMS, like any other machine tool, is only productive when it is cutting. If machines are down because worn single point tools must be replaced, productivity is lost. In place of single point tools, consider multibladed boring or milling tools. If tolerances are such that a single-point tool cannot be avoided, an automatic gage with feedback to an adaptive control should be used. It is also important to recognize the need for duplicate tooling in several machines in the system. This increases the cost, but it greatly increases the flexibility 6y allowing parts to be machined on any one of several machines.

' Because long tool life is a very important factor to high productivity of an FMS, state-of-the art tooling, such as coa­ted carbide, ceramics, and diamonds, should be applied. Here the traditional tool-cost analysis doesn't fit the modern FMS because the investment in the FMS can be many times greater than machines of the past.

Scheduling. The capabilities of an FMS are much greater than those of traditional machines. And, to take full advan­tage of these greater capabilities, the FMS must be scheduled in such a way as to keep materials flowing through the system.

As an example, a system machining a family of four different parts will probably be scheduled differently from one machining 25 parts. In the four-part system the FMS would machine a lot of parts and then the fixturing would be chan­ged over to run the next lot of parts. In the 25-part system it might be necessary to balance the demand and machine loading by intermixing more than one type of part into the system at the same time. There are no canned answers to scheduling every FMS. Scheduling systems must be carefully planned to suit the different demands of each system.

Every FMS reviewed had the potential to be successful, if it had been properly planned. The few that were successful were operating at uptimes of 80 to 90 %. This high uptime is a key factor in the profitability realized from an FMS; High response translates into short manufacturing lead time and low inventory. Low inventory supports a positive cash flow. In addition to the benefit of low inventory, the fast response to market needs accomplished with an FMS can gene­rate more sales and profits.