Computer Integration Engineering Design and Production A National Opportunity (1984) / Chapter Skim
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3. Issues That Influence Computer Integration
3. Issues That Influence Computer Integration
Pages 26-39
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From page 26... ...
Before computer-integrated manufacturing can reach its full potential for increasing productivity in both design and production, technical advances are needed in the following areas: · data communication in a system in which both hardware and software are heterogeneous · validation and consistency of data · representation of integrated textual and geometrical data · expert systems and artificial intelligence · analytical models of manufacturing processes These advances are listed in the probable increasing order of difficulty, but their relative importance will vary among companies, depending on company size and products. As the advances are realized, the implementation of the first three must be standardized within any organization if they are to be effective.
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From page 28... ...
It is now widely accepted that data files should be separated from particular application programs by limiting data access with a common set of data management routines that preserve accuracy and consistency. Validity generally means that all data entered into the data base obey any direct or calculated constraints imposed on them.
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From page 29... ...
This eliminated duplication of data entry and the possibility of inconsistency between the two data sets. A further step is to use geometric information for production more directly -- to use descriptions of sheet metal geometry, for example, to calculate die designs, or use descriptions of part geometry directly to calculate tool paths for numerically controlled machine tools, or calculate drill patterns for printed circuit boards directly from the file that defines the metal patterns.
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From page 30... ...
2 Process Models More accurate mathematical models are needed for production processes, such as stamping, molding, cutting, grinding, or welding over a wide range of material or process parameters. Without them, engineers cannot perform the analysis and mathematical optimization of a process, nor attempt the synthetic construction of the process from the design data.
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From page 31... ...
The mass of data and the diverse data base structures, programming languages, computers, communications systems, and specialized hardware have presented groups with almost infinite numbers of alternatives. It is little wonder that these groups, seldom with integration or organizat iona 1 s tandards as an objective, have made selections based on their internal objectives, which are not necessarily compatible with objectives across the organization.
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From page 32... ...
The keystone is unified data base, which may require years to realize. Without the commitment and understanding of top management and a top operations officer thoroughly committed to the concept, the coordination of changes throughout an organization cannot take place.
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From page 33... ...
It is too often assumed that if finance, marketing, and product engineering perform their functions, production will take care of itself with little or no attention from top management: that production really doesn't require many important decisions and returnon-investment calculations will adequately cover them. Skinner has pointed out how inaccurate these impressions can be,3 and entire industries, such as consumer electronics and appliances, cameras, and motorcycles, have already suffered from reliance on such calculations.
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From page 34... ...
Similarly, the skill required to supervise the operation of a computerized system, and the number so employed, have also increased. The experience of this past decade suggests that most workers using mental skills could be retrained to prepare and control computerized equipment or to perform some other function requiring mental skills.
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From page 35... ...
FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING ISSUES The United States emerged from World War II relatively unscarred and in a strong economic and military position. We had a large backlog of domestic consumer demand and technology, as well as readily available labor.
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From page 36... ...
Prof. Robert Kaplan reports5 that a theory now being explored would support investment on the basis of a combination of financial measures and such nonfinancial indicators as quality, inventory levels, productivity, delivery lead times, new product launch times, new product characteristics, employee training, employee morale and promotions, and customer and supplier satisfaction.
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From page 37... ...
It is noteworthy that none of the firms the Committee interviewed mentioned ROI calculations as significant in its decision to undertake integration. GOVERNMENT ISSUES The federal government is not only a large purchaser of manufactured goods, but also has a vested interest in the benefits of a strong manufacturing sector throughout the economy.
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From page 38... ...
Nor can a professor publish any work that incorporates material subject to the FEDD clause. Thus, the diffusion of new technology from DOD projects carrying FEDD clauses is substantially curtailed.
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From page 39... ...
, p.9. "The National Role and Importance of Manufacturing Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Technology" (Position Paper by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Dearborn, Michigan, May 1978~.
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