Multimode machine tools-A concept that improves operations of flexible manufacturing systems

Modern flexible manufacturing system offer certain benefits when compared to conventional stand-alone systems, but have problems associated with high capital outlays, system integration difficulties and lower than expected utilization because of characteristics of their component machine tools. These problems are addressed in this paper, which introduces a conceptual computer controlled multimode machine tool that can be programmed to execute conventional machining operations. Characteristics of hypothetical manufacturing systems built with these machines, are compared to those of conventional flexible manufacturing systems using established criteria, where it is shown that these multimode machine tools enhance the operation of flexible manufacturing systems.