SPEAKING Exercise 21. Share your vision of FMS using the following phrases: to my mind, in my opinion, if I am not mistaken, as far as I remember, it seems to me, etc. 1. What is FMS?
2. When did the idea of FMS appear?
3. What kind of machines were the first FMSs?
4. What is a flexible cell?
5. How are the various machining cells interconnected?
6. What is the prospect for the automation and flexibility if any?
7. What are the goals of FMS?
8. What are the main components of a generic FMS?
Exercise 22. Make up general and disjunctive questions, and answer them ac- cording to the models to enhance your speaking skills. Model A: FMS incorporates a system view of manufacturing. Does FMS incorporate a system view of manufacturing? — Yes, it does. FMS incorporates a system view of manufacturing, doesn’t it? — Yes, it does. 1. FMS consists of several CNC machines and material handling systems.
2. FMS incorporates two or more cells. 3. Central control system intercon-
nects a group of numerically-controlled machine tools. 4. Automated produc-
tion system produces one or more families of parts in a flexible manner. 5. The
prospect presents the possibility of producing non-standard parts.
Model B: FMSs create a competitive advantage. Do FMSs create a competitive advantage? — Yes, they do. FMSs create a competitive advantage, don’t they? — Yes, they do. 1. Flexible machining systems operate without being controlled by a per-
son. 2. FMSs approach efficiencies and economies of mass production.
3. FMSs maintain the flexibility required for small-size production. 4. Work
stations contain machine tools, performing such operations as milling, boring,
drilling, etc. 5. Computers and microprocessors perform several tasks.
