Suitability Indices As Evaluation Criteria For The Analysis Of A Single FMS Configuration

While designing a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) for production requirements, most engineers think of cost and time reduction. No one wants an over-equipped FMS, but rather one with enough capabilities to do the job. An FMS allows mixing different production set -ups in machines and provides mid-range to highrange production rates. If such complexity is not used to a high degree, the FMS might as well be working as a set of stations sitting together. The analysis of an FMS, from a functional point of view, is often done by using qualitative properties. This paper illustrates a methodology to evaluate an existing FMS that uses indices to measure productivity, functionality, and suitability to the production requirements.