(论文翻译 页数:12 字数:4876)摘要：
在制造中，生产率和柔性之间经常存在协调一致的问题。在该领域的一端是具有高生产率却低柔性的连续生产线；在该领域的另一端是能提供最大柔性的独立的计算机数字控制的机床，但它只能进行低生产率的制造。柔性制造出在此连续统一体中间。在制造中总是需要一个系统，这个系统比单个机床能制造更大批量且用于更多制造过程，但仍保持起柔性。
关键词：柔性制造、协调一致
柔性制造的定义：
计算机集成制造的前一部叫做柔性制造。
柔性在现在带制造环境中是一个重要的特征。它意味着一个制造系统是用途多且适应性强，同时又能进行产量相对较大的制造。柔性制造系统是多用途的，这是因为它能制造多种多样的部件。它适应性强，因为它能很快地加以改变来制造完全不同的另一种部件。这种柔性在竞争激烈的国际市场上可能成败有别。
这是一个平衡的问题。独立的计算机数字控制（NC）机床有着高度的柔性，但是只能处理批量相对较小的制造。正相反，系列连续生产线能进行批来年感较大的制造，但都不灵活。柔性制造试图运用工业技术在灵活性与制造运行之间达到最佳的平衡。这些工业技术包括自动化的材料、处理、成组技术及计算机和分布数字控制。
柔性制造系统（FMS）是一个独立的机床或一组机床服务于一个自动材料处理系统/它是由计算机控制的而且有对刀具处理的能力。由于它有刀具处理能力并能受计算机控制，这样的系统可以不断地重新配置来制造更加多样的部件，这就是它被称作柔性制造系统的原因。
一个制造系统要成为柔性制造系统必须具备的要素有：
1． 计算机控制
2． 自动处理材料能力
3． 刀具处理能力

Flexible Manufacturing
Abstract:
In manufacturing there have always been tradeoffs between production rates and flexible. At one end of the spectrum are transfer lines capable of high production rates, but low flexible. At the other end of the spectrum are independent CNC machines that offer m aximum flexible, but are capable only of low production rates. Flexible manufacturing falls in the middle of the continuum. There has always been need in manufacturing for a system that could produce higher volume and production runs than could independent machines, while still maintaining flexibility.
Key words: flexible manufacturing, tradeoffs
Flexible Manufacturing Defined
The step preceding computer-integrated manufacturing is called flexible manufacturing.
Flexible is an important characteristic in the modern manufacturing setting. It means that a manufacturing system is versatile and adaptable, while also capable of handling relatively high production runs. A Flexible manufacturing system is versatile in that it can produce a variety of parts. It is adaptable because it can be quickly modified to produce a completely different line of parts. This flexible can be the difference between success and failure in a competitive international marketplace.
It is a matter of balance. Stand-alone computer numerical control machines have a high degree of flexibility, but are capable of relatively low-volume production runs. As the opposite end of spectrum transfer lines are capable of high-volume runs, but they are not very flexible. Flexible manufacturing is an attempt to use technology in such a way as to achieve the optimum balance between flexibility and production runs. These technologies include automated materials, handing, group technology, and computer and distributed numerical control.
A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is an individual machine or group of machines served by an automated materials handing system that is computer controlled and has a tool handing capability. Because of its tool handling capability and computer control, such a system can be continually reconfigured to manufacture a wide variety of parts. This is why it is called a flexible manufacturing system.