Page 49 - Manufacturing Engineering and Technology - Kalpakjian, Serope : Schmid, Steven R.

Section 1.7 Computer-Integrated Manufactunng

FIGURE l.|0 Automated spot welding of automobile bodies in a mass-production line.
Source: Courtesy of Ford Motor Company.

and to minimize manufacturing cost. For example, machining forces, tempera-
ture, surface finish, and the dimensions of the part can be constantly moni-
tored; if they move outside the specified range, the system adjusts the
appropriate variables until the parameters are within the specified range.
Industrial robots. Introduced in the early 1960s, industrial robots (Fig. I_10)
have rapidly been replacing humans, especially in operations that are repeti-
tive, dangerous, and boring. As a result, variability in product quality is
decreased and productivity improved. Robots are particularly effective in
assembly operations, and some (intelligent robots) have been developed with
sensory-perception capabilities and movements that simulate those of humans.
Automated materials handling. Computers have made possible highly efficient
handling of materials and components in various stages of completion (work
in progress), as in moving a part from one machine to another, and then to
points of inspection, to inventory, and finally, to shipment.
Automated assembly systems. These systems continue to be developed to re-
place assembly by human operators, although humans still have to perform
some operations. Assembly costs can be high, depending on the type of prod-
uct; consequently, products are now being designed so that they can be assem-
bled more easily, and faster by automated machinery, thus reducing the total
manufacturing cost.
Computer-aided process planning (CAPP). By optimizing process planning,
this system is capable of improving productivity, product quality, and consis-
tency and hence reducing costs. Functions such as cost estimating and moni-
toring vvorl< standards (time required to perform a certain operation) are also
incorporated into the system.
Group technology (GT). The concept behind group technology is that parts
can be grouped and produced by classifying them into families according to
similarities in design and the manufacturing processes employed to produce
them. In this way, part designs and process plans can be standardized and new