Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) have been around since the 1980s, originally designed to connect machine tools and automate machining of high part variety quickly and cost-effectively. Even today, many manufacturers still think of FMS mainly as a way to boost spindle utilization. And while that alone can double or even triple productivity, machining is only part of the story.

Real efficiency comes when the entire process is considered – from raw material to finished part. Cutting, washing, finishing, tool handling, quality inspection, traceability: these are all essential steps where bottlenecks can appear once machining has been automated. If they are not addressed, productivity gains risk being lost elsewhere.

That’s why many manufacturers today integrate far more than machining into their FMS. Doing so reduces manual handling, enables smoother part flow, improves scheduling, and ensures timely deliveries. Out of more than 5,000 Fastems FMS installations worldwide, certain integrations have proven especially valuable.

In our latest blog post, we highlight the five most common non-machining integrations, explain why they matter, and show how they help manufacturers get the most out of their automation.

👉 Read the full article here.
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