A methodology for the implementation of automated measuring stations in flexible manufacturing systems

This paper presents a methodology for the inclusion of an automated measuring station in an existing flexible manufacturing system (FMS) by treating the measuring station as a workstation integrated into the FMS. This approach causes minimal distortion of the FMS work functions and does not depend on the control algorithms implemented on the system. A case study based on an FMS located at the Aeronautical Centre is presented. The FMS used in the case study is called CFF-ETSIA. This system contains the main elements needed in a FMS: two computer numerical control machine tools for machining and two industrial robots for handling and manipulating. The measuring station in the case study is implemented with one of the robots used to perform the necessary actions of measurement and manipulation.