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MARCH 2019 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 85 Recently, the trend in automated systems has been toward flexible and adaptable systems. While labor and fixed automation are increas- ing in costs, newer technologies are bringing flexible systems down in cost. Viewed as a "per unit cost," this means that the intersec- tion of flexible systems and manual or fixed systems is spreading. This spread covers the typical volumes seen in batch printed circuit production (Figure 4). Flexible automation in printed circuits today is typically programmable and computer-aided based on CNC; direct numeri- cal control (DNC) of shear- ing, drilling, contouring, and photo-plotting; computer-aided AOI; computer-aided test and process automation; and com- puter-aided manufacturing/ artwork/tooling (CAM). Direct imaging and inkjet printing are examples of flexible automation that eliminate many human/ machine steps. All of these tech- niques are automation because they have both mechanization and systemization content. Modern Information Systems (MRP III) Flexible automation that is mostly systemization would be the role of a modern informa- tion system. The technique for production processes is called manufacturing resource planning (MRP III). MRP III and the older material requirements planning (MRP) are management processes or techniques for taking the business plan and breaking it down into tasks of materials, inventory, schedules, and costs. Specifically, the detailed tasks in- clude: 1. Business planning 2. Production planning 3. Order processing 4. Master scheduling 5. Material planning 6. Shop floor control 7. Vendor scheduling 8. Planned execution and feedback The capacity to do evaluations and "what- if" scenarios is possible. MRP is a powerful discipline and philosophy, but it is based on company-wide teamwork and detailed imple- mentation driven by top management. MRP III can be used in just about any size company making any type of product on a process or batch order flow. The four basic MRP III pack- THE MOVEMENT TO FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS (FMS) FIXED AUTOMATION FLEXIBLE / ADAPTABLE MANUAL PRODUCTION QUANTITY PER YEAR COST PER UNIT Figure 4: Flexible manufacturing systems are more cost- efficient and adaptable to any type of manufacturing. Matching Major Stages of Product and Process Life Cycles with Automation Vectors Product Structure: Product Life Cycle Stage Process Structure Process Life Cycle Stage 1. One-of-a-kind products; Low volume, low standardization 2. Multiple products; Low volume 3.Few major products; Higher volume 4.Commodity products; High volume, high standardization 1. Jumbled flow job shops 2. Disconnected line flow (batch) 3. Connected line flow (assembly line) 4. Continuous flow Figure 5: The information extent of systemization varies with the type of manufacturing.