Computer Integrated Manufacturing Handbook

Manufacturing has entered the early stages of a revolutionary period caused by the convergence of three powerful trends: • The rapid advancement and spread of manufacturing capabilities worldwide has created intense competition on a global scale. • The emergence of advanced manufacturing technologies is dramati­ cally changing both the products and processes of modern manufac­ turing. • Changes in traditional management and labor practices, organiza­ tional structures, and decision-making criteria represent new sources of competitiveness and introduce new strategic opportunities. These trends are interrelated and their effects are already being felt by the u.s. manufacturing community. Future competitiveness for manu­ facturers worldwide will depend on their response to these trends. Based on the recent performance of u.s. manufacturers, efforts to respond to the challenges posed by new competition, technology, and managerial opportunities have been slow and inadequate. Domestic markets that were once secure have been assailed by a growing number of foreign competitors producing high quality goods at low prices. In a number of areas, such as employment, capacity utilization, research and development expenditures, and capital investment, trends in u.s. manufacturing over the last decade have been unfavorable or have not kept pace with major foreign competitors, such as Japan. There is substantial evidence that many u.s. manufacturers have neglected the manufacturing function, have overemphasized product development at the expense of process improvements, and have not begun to make the adjustments that will be necessary to be competitive. Manufacturing has entered the early stages of a revolutionary period caused by the convergence of three powerful trends: " The rapid advancement and spread of manufacturing capabilities worldwide has created intense competition on a global scale." The emergence of advanced manufacturing technologies is dramatiƯ cally changing both the products and processes of modern manufacƯ turing." Changes in traditional management and labor practices, organizaƯ tional structures, and decision-making criteria represent new sources of competitiveness and introduce new strategic opportunities. These trends are interrelated and their effects are already being felt by the u.s. manufacturing community. Future competitiveness for manuƯ facturers worldwide will depend on their response to these trends. Based on the recent performance of u.s. manufacturers, efforts to respond to the challenges posed by new competition, technology, and managerial opportunities have been slow and inadequate. Domestic markets that were once secure have been assailed by a growing number of foreign competitors producing high quality goods at low prices. In a number of areas, such as employment, capacity utilization, research and development expenditures, and capital investment, trends in u.s. manufacturing over the last decade have been unfavorable or have not kept pace with major foreign competitors, such as Japan. There is substantial evidence that many u.s. manufacturers have neglected the manufacturing function, have overemphasized product development at the expense of process improvements, and have not begun to make the adjustments that will be necessary to be competitive Front Matter....Pages i-xi Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Need for Computer-Integrated Manufacturing....Pages 3-44 Description of CIM System Elements....Pages 45-94 Front Matter....Pages 95-95 Application of CIM....Pages 97-115 Planning for Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Implementation....Pages 116-129 CIM Design Analysis....Pages 130-168 CIM Procurement....Pages 169-185 Installation of CIM....Pages 186-202 Operation of CIM....Pages 203-217 Front Matter....Pages 219-219 Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Technology Assessment....Pages 221-257 Projected Trends in CIM Technology....Pages 258-260 Front Matter....Pages 261-261 U.S. Industry Performance....Pages 263-276 Assessment of World-Class Competition....Pages 277-284 Back Matter....Pages 285-322