IPA IP 2025 Question 11
A question IPA Japan published in 令和7年度 ITパスポート試験 公開問題 問11, translated into English. ITPEC is based on the same exams.
Which of the following is the most appropriate description concerning FMS (Flexible Manufacturing System), which is also used in smart factories?
Explanation
Machine tools and industrial robots linked and controlled as one system — an FMS automates the whole production process so that one line can switch between products.
An FMS (Flexible Manufacturing System) connects numerically controlled machine tools, industrial robots, and automated transport and storage under computer control. Because the programs and tooling are changed by the computer, the same line can make many kinds of products in small lots without being rebuilt: that is the flexibility in its name. A smart factory goes further, linking such equipment through IoT and using the collected data for analysis and control, so an FMS is one of its building blocks.
Answer (d)
Why not others:
- •(a) — bringing technological innovation into management for the company’s growth is MOT (management of technology)
- •(b) — managing the flow of materials, from raw materials to finished products, at the right time and in the right quantities is materials and production control, as MRP plans it; it is about materials, not about linking the machines
- •(c) — supplying only the parts needed, in the quantities needed, to cut the lead time is JIT (just in time), with the kanban system as its tool
Key rule: FMS: flexible automation of machine tools, robots and transport for high-mix, low-volume production; JIT: only the parts needed when needed; MRP: material requirements from the production plan; MOT: technology in management.
Business Industry · AI-written, may contain errors
This question comes from the past questions IPA Japan publishes, translated into English by ITPEC Practice. ITPEC Practice is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with IPA or ITPEC. See the original paper (PDF) or Report an issue.