V. Writing.

Ex.1. Render the text in writing.

Згідно назви у тексті йдеться про технічні та економічні аспекти застосування виробничих систем на підприємствах. Згадується той факт, що виробництво слід розглядати як систему процесів, а не тільки як виробництво деталей. Текст пропонує цінну інформацію щодо переваг гнучких систем. Багато уваги приділяється типам та структурі гнучких виробничих центрів. Кожному типу надана характеристика. Слід підкреслити, що належний дизайн системи може реалізувати усі переваги та вигоди гнучких виробничих систем.

Ex.2. Write an abstract to the text.

FMS —AN ELEMENT OF THE FACTORY OF THE FUTURE

The flexible manufacturing system is one of the most tal­ked about and, therefore, probably one of the most repre­sentative elements of the factory of the future.

If we view flexible manufacturing from only our own dis­cipline, we may misjudge the degree and type of flexibility truly required. Increasingly, we see the trend towards proli­ferating end product lines to meet the specialized needs of the customer. This means we must both manufacture in low volumes and achieve low manufacturing costs. Flexibility in manufacturing will be an increasing requirement to sati­sfy these and other objectives.

In addition, we need manufacturing flexibility to shorten the introduction lead time of new products or changes to existing products. We require flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing demands on manufacturing process without creating chaos and without adversely effecting operating results.

All of these issues, and others, need careful consideration before investments are made inflexible manufacturing.

Flexibility, while being an absolute necessity in future operations, can also provide a number of potential inefficien­cies. If we install flexibility greater than can be beneficially used, we create merely another inefficiency. The operation may be more expensive or the investment greater than necessary.

When flexible manufacturing is referred to today, it is often associated with large, complex systems.

An interesting example of the value of flexibility in a sin­gle machine tool can be illustrated with a CNC punch with laser-cutting attachment for sheet metal operations.

Potentially, use of this type of equipment can significantly reduce the number of shop floor operations, simplify produc­tion control planning systems, reduce inventory, and drama­tically impact and simplify another whole group of over­head costs. That group involves information flow starting in product engineering and flowing through the entire manufa­cturing engineering function, from routing, estimating, pro­cess planning, tool and gage design, plant lay-out, mecha­nical detail instructions, to establishing manpower standards.

For manufacturing flexibility to be truly effective, it must be applied on the base of a total manufacturing process that has been simplified and focused to the fullest extent pos­sible. Only in this manner will the degree of flexibility requ­ired be truly understood and the value of flexibility truly realized.