Design and Fabrication Considerations of an automated flow line || Automation in manufacturing

      Design and Fabrication considerations in                                      automation  

  Totally these are 18 as follows 

1. First consideration is weather the flow line is to be engineered in-house ( is done by company it self ) or by a machine tool builder.
2. Size, weight, geometry and material if it is a processed work part.
3. Size, weight and number of components in an assembly.
4. Tolerance requirements.
5. Type and sequence of operations.
6. Production rate required.
7. Type of transfer systems ( continuous, intermittent, asynchronous ).
8. Methods of fixturing and locating work piece.
9. Methods of orienting and feeding components in the case of assemblies.
10. Reliability of individual stations and Transfer mechanisms as well as overall reliability of the line.
11. Buffer Storage capability.
12. Ease of maintenance.
13. Control features desired.
14. Floor space available.
15. Flexibility of line to accommodate more than a single work piece.
16. Flexibility of line to accommodate possible future changes in product design.
17. Initial cost of the line.
18. Operational and tooling cost for the line.