- Email: [email protected]
Flexible manufacturing systems: The technology and management,
209
Flexible Manufacturing Systems: The Technology and Management, by Reza A. Maleki, Prentice-Hall,
Englewood
Cliffs, NJ, 1991, 277 pp.
According to the author, the purpose of the book is “to help the reader in better understanding FMS [and] to explain how other, similarly integrated manufacturing systems operate and are planned, evaluated, and implemented”. The book is intended for students “enrolled in different technology and engineering programs... [as well as] business and management programs”. The book’s 15 chapters are divided into four parts. In Part One, the author explains the general characteristics of FMS; in Part Two, he describes the technologies associated with FMS. In Part Three, the author discusses the needs and objectives that lead to selection of FMS. In Part Four, he addresses the human element in implementation of FMS. The book draws heavily on information provided by equipment manufacturers and on the author’s industrial experience. It is well illustrated with diagrams, photographs, charts and tables. A number of case studies are included. Questions and References are provided at the end of each chapter. Several topics are covered, such as discussions of NC, CNC and DNC machinery, tooling, pallets and fixtures, and coolant and chip removal. A good overview of material handling systems is provided including robots and an automated storage and retrieval system. There are also brief discussions of group technology, tooling, automated inspection, and computer control systems including manufacturing automation protocol, computer-aided process planning, and several simulation programs. There is also a chapter on methods of cost justification. The major strengths of the book may also be its major weaknesses. It is a short book and surveys many topics, thus, the author is unable to go into any single topic in great depth. References are given at the end of each chapter. However, many of these are from proprietary sources, and thus may be difficult or impossible to obtain for those who wish to explore individual topics in greater depth. A second major strength and weakness is the low level of mathematical sophistication of the text. Although a number of very complex topics are discussed, including group technology and simulation, mathematical analysis never ranges beyond the use of simple arithmetic and logarithms. This is done, undoubtably, to extend the use of the book to fields beyond engineering. However, it does reduce the level of rigor of the book to being almost purely descriptive rather than analytic. The chapter on justification provides a broad overview of this vexing problem for many firms attempting to decide whether or not to adopt flexible automation. Since many adoption decisions are now being made on the basis of strategic planning and the decision to upgrade a firm’s technology, a discussion of strategic planning for manufacturing organizations would have been welcome.
210
The final chapter in the book discusses the importance of education in preparing workers for the FMS environment. Here, one wishes that the coverage had been broader. There is growing evidence that workers still exert considerable influence over machine utilization in the automated environment. In addition to education, other factors such as selection, placement, rewards, job design, and organizational design are important topics. Overall, the book meets its stated goals of helping the reader better understand FMS and associated integrated manufacturing systems. It would appear to be suitable for students in both engineering and business administration. It should also be useful as a reference for organizations considering the installation of their first flexible automation. More sophisticated users may find its descriptive rather than analytic approach to be inappropriate for their needs. The citations and sources, although spotty in places, should prove useful for those requiring a more in-depth analysis of the topics covered. Reviewed by Melvin BLUMBERG School of Business Administration Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg Middletown, PA 17057, USA
Flexible Manufacturing Systems: The Technology and Management, by Reza A. Maleki, Prentice-Hall,
Englewood
Cliffs, NJ, 1991, 277 pp.
According to the author, the purpose of the book is “to help the reader in better understanding FMS [and] to explain how other, similarly integrated manufacturing systems operate and are planned, evaluated, and implemented”. The book is intended for students “enrolled in different technology and engineering programs... [as well as] business and management programs”. The book’s 15 chapters are divided into four parts. In Part One, the author explains the general characteristics of FMS; in Part Two, he describes the technologies associated with FMS. In Part Three, the author discusses the needs and objectives that lead to selection of FMS. In Part Four, he addresses the human element in implementation of FMS. The book draws heavily on information provided by equipment manufacturers and on the author’s industrial experience. It is well illustrated with diagrams, photographs, charts and tables. A number of case studies are included. Questions and References are provided at the end of each chapter. Several topics are covered, such as discussions of NC, CNC and DNC machinery, tooling, pallets and fixtures, and coolant and chip removal. A good overview of material handling systems is provided including robots and an automated storage and retrieval system. There are also brief discussions of group technology, tooling, automated inspection, and computer control systems including manufacturing automation protocol, computer-aided process planning, and several simulation programs. There is also a chapter on methods of cost justification. The major strengths of the book may also be its major weaknesses. It is a short book and surveys many topics, thus, the author is unable to go into any single topic in great depth. References are given at the end of each chapter. However, many of these are from proprietary sources, and thus may be difficult or impossible to obtain for those who wish to explore individual topics in greater depth. A second major strength and weakness is the low level of mathematical sophistication of the text. Although a number of very complex topics are discussed, including group technology and simulation, mathematical analysis never ranges beyond the use of simple arithmetic and logarithms. This is done, undoubtably, to extend the use of the book to fields beyond engineering. However, it does reduce the level of rigor of the book to being almost purely descriptive rather than analytic. The chapter on justification provides a broad overview of this vexing problem for many firms attempting to decide whether or not to adopt flexible automation. Since many adoption decisions are now being made on the basis of strategic planning and the decision to upgrade a firm’s technology, a discussion of strategic planning for manufacturing organizations would have been welcome.
210
The final chapter in the book discusses the importance of education in preparing workers for the FMS environment. Here, one wishes that the coverage had been broader. There is growing evidence that workers still exert considerable influence over machine utilization in the automated environment. In addition to education, other factors such as selection, placement, rewards, job design, and organizational design are important topics. Overall, the book meets its stated goals of helping the reader better understand FMS and associated integrated manufacturing systems. It would appear to be suitable for students in both engineering and business administration. It should also be useful as a reference for organizations considering the installation of their first flexible automation. More sophisticated users may find its descriptive rather than analytic approach to be inappropriate for their needs. The citations and sources, although spotty in places, should prove useful for those requiring a more in-depth analysis of the topics covered. Reviewed by Melvin BLUMBERG School of Business Administration Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg Middletown, PA 17057, USA