ALS Advanced Logistic Systems MATERIAL FLOW DESCRIPTION IN FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING Peter Košťál, Katarína Krajčová, Roman Ružarovský Slovak University of Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, Trnava Abstract: This paper shows a project about building a laboratory that will include the flexible production system consisting of at least two processing machines using NC control (milling machine, lathe). These machines will be interconnected with the transport system and operated by industrial robots. In this system, material flow will have to be planned and visualised in an optimal way – using the triangular method. Keywords: flexible production system, transport system, triangular method. 1. Introduction At the end of 2008, our workplace – Institute of Production Systems and Applied Mechanics – responded to the challenge No.: OPVaV-2008/2.2/01-SORO coming from the ASFEU agency within the Ministry of Education and developed a project named Laboratory of flexible production systems with robotized handling for a non-drawing manufacturing environment. Main goal of this project is building the laboratory where it would be possible to place the flexible production system consisting of at least two processing machines with NC control (milling machine, lathe). These machines will be connected by a transport system and operated by industrial robots. Station for quality checking using the camera system and a rack warehouse will be included within this flexible production system. In the final planning stage of the project, in 2012, this flexible production system will be connected with CAD laboratory at our institute and this all will enable the creation of „Laboratory of flexible production systems with robotized handling for a non-drawing manufacturing environment“. After the project terminates, our institute will be able to utilise a fully functional prototype of flexible production system with robotized handling of individual manufacturing equipments that will be integrated with CAD laboratories. This prototype will allow the additional research of relations and characteristics not only within the production system itself but also in the connection of production system with the preparation process and production planning. We assume the realisation of several following (also international) projects that will extend the possibilities of the laboratory. At present, we are working on the layout of space assignment concerning the individual devices and the selection of suitable processing machines. Very important part of this layout is the design of transport and handling tracks, selection of the transporter and planning of material flow within the whole system. Concerning the expected wide production assortment