Page 270 - Sensors and Control Systems in Manufacturing

CHAPTER 5

The Role of

Sensors and

Control Technology

in Computer-

Integrated

Manufacturing

5.1 Introduction
According to various studies conducted in the United States, nearly
50 percent of the productivity increase during the period 1950–1990
was due to technological innovation. That is, the increase was due to
the introduction of high-value-added products and more efficient
manufacturing processes, which in turn have caused the United
States to enjoy one of the highest living standards in the world.
However, unless the United States continues to lead in technological
innovation, the relative living standard of the country will decline
over the long term.
This clearly means that the United States has to invest more in
research and development, promote scientific education, and create
incentives for technological innovation. In the R&D arena, the United
States has been lagging behind other nations: about 1.9 percent of the
U.S. gross national product (GNP) (versus about 2.6 percent of the
GNP in Japan and West Germany) goes for R&D. The introduction
of the computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) strategy in U.S.
industry has begun to provide a successful flow of communication,

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