This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by MERCHANT, M. E. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Flexible Manufacturing Systems: Robotics and Computerized Automation

The most powerful long-term technological trend impinging on the factory of the future is that toward computer integrated manufacturing. Behind this trend lies the unique capability of the computer to automate, optimize, and integrate the operations of the total system of manufacturing. The virility of this trend is attested to by technological forecasts made over the past 10 years. The rapidity of the development is due not only to this technological virility, but also to powerful long-term economic and social forces impinging on manufacturing. As a result many industrialized nations are pursuing large national programs of research, development, and implementation of computer integrated manufacturing to hasten the technological evolution of computer integrated automatic factories. Programs receiving major emphasis include development and application of integrated manufacturing software systems, group technology and cellular manufacturing, computer control of manufacturing processes and equipment, computer-controlled robots, flexible manufacturing systems, and prototype computer automated factories. This evolution poses some significant challenges to American industry.

The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 470, No. 1, 123-135 (1983)
DOI: 10.1177/0002716283470001012


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?