Abstract :
What has been described as the most flexible manufacturing system in the world entered service in March last year (1987) at the Ormskirk, Lancashire factory of valve manufacturer Hattersley Newman Hender (HNH). Supplier of the automated guided vehicle (AGV) network which interconnects the entire FMS, Wagner Indumat Systems Ltd of Ascot, Berkshire, has prepared this report to illustrate the advanced technology and current capabilities of this form of materials and component handling.