Automated flow line Meghana

To reduce travel distance of travel or movement between operations Automated flow line consists of multiple workstations that are automated and linked together by a work handling system that transfers parts from one station to the next. Work parts transfers take place automatically and the workstations carries out specialized operation or function automatically. Objectives of automated flow line: To reduce labour cost To reduce WIP goods To reduce travel distance of travel or movement between operations To increase the production rates

Method of work part transfer: Continuous transfer Synchronous transfer Asynchronous transfer 1 continuous transfer: Work parts move continuously with constant speed Some time work head also move during processing to maintain continuous registration with work piece. Ex: bottling packaging industries It is easy to design and fabricate as well as to achieve production rate.

2. Synchronous transfer: In this work stations are fixed and parts are moved between stations and the registered at proper locations for processing. All work piece are transported at the same time and hence the name synchronous transfer. Ex: press working with progressive dies , Mechanised assembly line

3.Asynchronous transfer : In this each work piece moves to the next stations when processing at the current stations has been completed . Each part moves independent of other part. Some parts are processed on the line and at the same time others are being transported between stations. It provides greater flexibility It is used when there all or more manually operated stations cycle times variation would be a problem on either continuous or discontinuous transfer system

Buffer storage: Buffer storage is a location in the production line where parts can be collected and temporarily stored before proceeding to subsequent workstations. A key parameter of a buffer is its storage capacity, that is number of work parts it is capable of holding. Buffer may be located between every pair of adjacent stations, or between line stages containing multiple stations.     

Reasons to use buffer: To reduce the impact of individual station breakdowns on the line operation . To provide bank of part to supply the line. Storage in flow line is to smooth out the effect of variation in cycle time. To provide a place to put the output of the line Storage buffer are more readily accommodated in the design of an in line transfer than a rotary indexing machine.

Transfer mechanism: 1. Linear transfer system Walking beam transfer system Powered roll conveyor system Chain drive 2. Rotary indexing machine: Geneva mechanism Cam mechanism Ratchet and pawl mechanism Rack and pinion mechanism

1. Linear transfer mechanism: It can be possible by the application of the chain or belt conveyors to provide continuous movement of parts between stations.  

Walking beam transfer system: in which the part is synchronously lifted up from their respective stations by transfer beam and moved one position ahead, to the next station. The transfer beam lowers the part into nests that position them for processing at their stations. The beam then retracts to make ready for the next transfer cycle

2.Rotary indexing machine: This provides synchronous motion. Several mechanism are available to provide the rotational indexing motion required in dial indexing machine.