A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is defined as a manufacturing system consisting of automatically reprogrammable machines (material processors), automated tool deliveries and changes, automated material handling and transport, and coordinated shop floor control [1]. Management of these systems requires simultaneously scheduling jobs and management of tools. The authors of this paper present a systematic approach to handling both of these problems, and provide a diagnostic tool for tooling-originated manufacturing problems.

The primary contribution of this paper is the design of a robust knowledge-based decision support system (NBDSS) for various flexible manufacturing layouts. It is designed to help shop floor managers make quick decisions based on global information. There are also extensive details of the basic scheduling and tool strategy approaches.

¿zbayrak and Bell readily admit that optimal part scheduling is not covered in the paper. However, strategies for scheduling parts and tools are well researched, and should have been covered briefly at a minimum [2]. Also, Petri nets have been used extensively in designing knowledge-based systems for FMS, and are not mentioned in the paper [3].

The paper is well written, and thoroughly covers the structure of the system presented. However, there is insufficient research for the topic and critical components of the system.