Configure and parameters' optimization for sheet metal flexible manufacturing system based on simulation

Sheet metal machining is a special area in manufacturing industry. The flexible manufacturing system (FMS) has been used in the fabrication of sheet metal products in order to achieve high flexibility and high production efficiency. The configure and parameters are key factors for the performance optimization of the FMS. In this paper the discrete event system simulation is used to evaluate the configure and parameters, and to optimize the performance of the FMS. The composition and characteristics of sheet metal FMS are introduced briefly, the evaluation criteria for FMS' performance and the maximal service capability that the piler can provide to the machining cells are given out. Some simulation schemes are constructed to evaluate whether the configure and parameters are reasonable, and whether the piler has sufficient serviceability. Some instructive conclusions have been reached from the simulation: (1) The parameters of the piler have great effect on the FMS's performance. (2) As the production process of sheet metal are comparatively simple and fixed, the scheduling rules have minor influence on the FMS's performance. (3) On given parameters, a piler can provide sufficient service for four punch-shear machining cells.