A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) for machining technologies is generally made up of technological, inspection, preparatory and auxiliary workstations as well as transport, handling, storing and control systems.

In going in for an FMS system, the organisation is adopting automation in a big way at considerable investment to achieve competitive advantage in terms of better quality, lesser machining time, greater control and a degree of flexibility which is absent in other forms of automated production systems.

What is an FMS? Elements of an FMS.

Planning for FMS i.e. feasibility, defining objectives in terms of scope, cost and time scale.

Work elements in an FMS system.

Implementation of an FMS project.

Integration of FMS with other system.

Conclusions, performance review, lessons for future projects.