A flexible manufacturing system is being planned. It has a ladder layout as pictured in Figure P10.1 and uses a rail guided vehicle system to move parts between stations in the layout. All work parts are loaded into the system at station 1, moved to one of three processing stations (2, 3, or 4), and then brought back to station 1 for unloading. Once loaded onto its RGV, each work part stays onboard the vehicle throughout its time in the FMS. Load and unload times at station 1 are each 1.0 min. Processing times at other stations are: 5.0 min at station 2, 7.0 min at station 3, and 9.0 min at station 4. Hourly production of parts through the system is: 7 parts through station 2, 6 parts through station 3, and 5 parts through station 4.
(a) Develop the from-to Chart for trips and distances using the same format as Table 10.5.
(b) Develop the network diagram for this data similar to Figure 10.13.
(c) Determine the number of rail guided vehicles that are needed to meet the requirements of the flexible manufacturing system, if vehicle speed = 60 m/min and the anticipated traffic factor = 0.85. Assume reliability = 100%.