AN INSTRUCTIONAL FMS LABORATORY: DESIGN, APPLICATION AND SIMULATION

This paper describes the instructional flexible manufacturing system(FMS) laboratory facility at Virginia Polytechnic Institute(VPI) which is directed at problems and issues in the design, implementation and control of computer integrated manufacturing systems. It begins with a configuration and an operational description of FMS laboratory facilities. Next, relevant curricula in manufacturing systems design and control, which can use the FMS laboratory for instructional purpose, are introduced, A computer simulation can be used as an excellent tool for analysis prior to implementation of FMS as well as an on-going improvement tool. A brief survey of simulation languages is lastly included.