Dictionary Of Flexible Manufacturing Systems And Robotics

Geared to managers and technical personnel, this book explains the component technologies of Flexible Management Systems (FMS), and explores their relationship with each other and as a whole. The author discusses robotics, progammable logic controllers and automatic guided vehicles.

Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) involve substituting machines capable of performing a wide and redefinable variety of tasks for machines dedicated to the performance of specific tasks. FMS can also be programmed to handle new products, thus extending the machines' life cycles. Thus they represent a change from "standardized goods produced by customized machines" to "customized goods produced by standardized machines". This volume contains new and updated material in this field, and will be of great interest to researchers, managers and students concerned with problems related to flexible manufacturing systems.

This volume has been prepared as a reference guide for all engineering, industrial and technical management personnel who are in any way involved in the manufacturing process, in product design, or in converting of raw materials to finished products. This Encyclopedic Dictionary covers a wide range of subjects from industrial materials, minerals, metals, plastics and synthetic fibers to machine tools, computers, lasers, robots and other production equipment as well as manufacturing processes. Some of the materials reviewed are brass, steel, nickel, copper, bronze, cast iron, cements, clay, coal, coke, petroleum and petrochemicals, glass, limestone, rubber, paper, metal alloys, chemicals, synthetic fibers, textiles, plastics, resins, lubricants, and thermoplastics. Various processes are reviewed such as metal casting, forming, machining, anneal ing, extrusion, heat treating, injection molding, papermaking and steel processing. In heat treating such areas as martempering, annealing, spheroidizing, tempering and austempering are included. Different types of equipment related to the products are defined. In plastics such pro ducts are covered as nylons, polyesters, rayons, Teflon, Vinyon, Saran, acetates and acrylics. Many of the manufacturing processes and equipment involved in the conversion of material to finished products are described along with products and their ultimate uses. Also, important associated manufacturing activities such as inspection, handling, and control are included to make the references as complete as is practicable.

Complete coverage of all fields of electrical engineering. The book provides workable definitions for practicing engineers, while serving as a reference and research tool for students, and offering practical information for scientists and engineers in other disciplines. Areas examined include applied electrical, microwave, control, power, and digital systems engineering, plus device electronics.