Computerizing the Manufacturing Process

Computers are undeniably prolific. Most people agree that they are used for just about anything. They are used for entertainment, for research and even high-end applications such as industrial processes.

For example, companies are now making extensive use of CIM or computer integrated marketing. As its name suggests, this is the full automation or computerization of the entire manufacturing process. This would include computerizing from design until the actual manufacturing process. The process goes like this:

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• Design teams now make use of computer programs to conceptualize the design. This is done through computer-aided design (CAD) programs. One advantage of this is that 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional representations of the final product are easily created using these programs. The time required to come up with a design is also materially reduced.

• The design is then fed to NC processors. The NC processors are computers that can read digital CAD designs and use it to turn the design into reality. The process is devoid of human intervention, as numerical control machines are capable of moving by itself using only commands (designs) that are encoded into its storage medium. Perhaps the only human intervention is quality control measures to ensure that the data the NC processor receives is free of potential errors. Once that button is pressed and the machine gets going, there is no more activity from a human except to wait until the NC processor is done with its work.

With the world leading towards the digital age, the computer integrated manufacturing process is an example of the implementation of information technology in industrial applications. This has several key advantages, which include:

• Lesser expense on labour. From the design phase, the number of people needed is greatly reduced.

• Improved efficiency. Computers work faster than humans do, hence the manufacturing process is greatly expedited using computer-integrated manufacturing.

• Improved accuracy. As long as the data is checked for errors right before the machine is engaged, manufacturers can be certain that the final product is accurate and close to the intended design. Using CIM, companies can produce accurate products and be able to minimize or completely eliminate errors in the manufacturing process.