Modem manufacturing systems involve many processes and operations that can be monitored and controlled at several levels of intelligence. At the highest level there is a computer that supervises the various manufacturing functions, whereas at the lowest level there are stand alone computer controlled systems of manufacturing processes and robotic cells. Until recenty computer-aided manufacturing systems constituted isolated "islands" of automation, each oriented to a particular application, but present day systems offer integrated approaches to manufacturing and enterprise operations. These modem systems, known as computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) systems, can easily meet the current performance and manufacturing competitiveness requirements under strong environmental changes. CIM systems are much of a challenge, and imply a systemic approach to the design and operation of a manufacturing enterprise. Actualy, a CIM system must take into account in a unified way the following three views : the user view, the technology view, and the enterprise view. This means that CIM includes both the engineering and enterprise planning and control activities, as well as the information flow activities across all the stages of the system.

The purpose of this book is to discuss the state of the art and future trends in the field of computerized production management systems. It is composed of a number of independent papers, each presented in a chapter. Some of the widely recognized experts in the field around the world have been asked to contribute. lowe each of them my sincere gratitude for their kind cooperation. I am also grateful to Peter Falster and Jim Browne for their kind support in helping me to review topics to be covered and to select the authors. This book is a result of the professional work done in the International Federation of Information Processing Technical Committee IFIP TC5 "Com puter Applications in Technology" and especially in the Working Group WG5. 7 "Computer-Aided Production Management". This group was established in 1978 with the aim of promoting and encouraging the advancement of the field of computer systems for the production management of manufacturing, off shore, construction, electronic and similar and related industries. The scope of the work includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: 1) design and implementation of new production planning and control systems taking into account new technology and management philosophy; 2) CAPM in a CIM environment including interfaces to CAD and CAM; 3) project management and cost engineering; 4) knowledge engineering in CAPM; 5) CAPM for Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) and Flexible Assembly Systems (F AS); 6) methods and concepts in CAPM; 7) economic and social implications of CAPM.

The control of manufacturing operations is of crucial importance in industry. The correct regulation of manufacturing activities makes the difference between meeting and missing customer requirements. Nowadays computerised solutions are available as an aid to production management. However, many companies proceed to use sophisticated computer tools without first understanding the basic operating principles. This book is written for students of manufacturing systems as well as people in industry who need a concise explanation of the concepts of Computer Aided Production Management (CAPM) or who may be looking for new ideas.

Master production scheduling II 60 On-line scheduling 65 Specific data requirements 69 Mailbox approaches 70 Conclusion 72 Chapter 7: Cell Level Control 75 Introduction 75 CCS classification 77 What is a cell? 78 CCS operational modes 80 Conclusion 86 Chapter 8: Equipment Level Control 89 Introduction 89 What is meant by equipment? 90 Equipment level control structure 92 Conclusion 94 Chapter 9: Conclusion and Future Trends 95 Overall production planning and control functions 98 Future trends 100 Conclusion 102 Appendix I: Master Production Scheduling II 103 References 107 Index 109 Preface This book is intended as an introduction to production planning and control of automated manufacturing systems. As such, it links together two diverse fields of interest: in the area of production planning and control there is a large body of work completed in analytical models, computer structures and overall systems; equally, for the hardware and detailed control aspects of the equipment used (for example, NC machines, robots, etc), comprehensive studies have also been completed. To cover each area fully would result in a work of several volumes. Instead, this book stresses the important elements of both areas that are vital to effective production planning and control of the whole automated manufacturing system.

"This book presents basic principles of geometric modelling while featuring contemporary industrial case studies"--Provided by publisher.

In the competitive business arena companies must continually strive to create new and better products faster, more efficiently, and more cost effectively than their competitors to gain and keep the competitive advantage. Computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) are now the industry standa

Combining manufacturing systems with management techniques, this integrated approach to designing and developing CIM systems provides a multi-disciplinary, system-oriented background understanding of advanced manufacturing issues and strategies. It also offers design methods that can be used to create competitive manufacturing systems. The text's methods include assessing problems, determining solution approaches and developing and integrating systems based on relevant engineering, science and management disciplines. Software is included for a simple system-environment simulation (SES) model that illustrates the application of key concepts. Real-world application design models are applied to specific system examples. The author discusses design principles within a comprehensive framework, providing a context for understanding manufacturing operations and relationships. Throughout the text, the integrated technical and management considerations aim to encourage effective CIM team management.

In the competitive business arena companies must continually strive to create new and better products faster, more efficiently, and more cost effectively than their competitors to gain and keep the competitive advantage. Computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) are now the industry standa

This is an invaluable five-volume reference on the very broad and highly significant subject of computer aided and integrated manufacturing systems. It is a set of distinctly titled and well-harmonized volumes by leading experts on the international scene. The techniques and technologies used in computer aided and integrated manufacturing systems have produced, and will no doubt continue to produce, major annual improvements in productivity, which is defined as the goods and services produced from each hour of work. This publication deals particularly with more effective utilization of labor and capital, especially information technology systems. Together the five volumes treat comprehensively the major techniques and technologies that are involved. Contents: .: Techniques and Applications of Production Planning in Electronics Manufacturing Systems (J Smed et al.); Economic Optimization of Machining Operations in Computer Aided Manufacturing Systems (J Wang); Computer Techniques and Applications for Real-Time Embedded Control in Mechatronic Systems (M Colnaric & W A Halang); and other articles. Readership: Graduate students, academics, researchers, and industrialists in computer engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, artificial intelligence and operations management

This is an invaluable five-volume reference on the very broad and highly significant subject of computer aided and integrated manufacturing systems. It is a set of distinctly titled and well-harmonized volumes by leading experts on the international scene.The techniques and technologies used in computer aided and integrated manufacturing systems have produced, and will no doubt continue to produce, major annual improvements in productivity, which is defined as the goods and services produced from each hour of work. This publication deals particularly with more effective utilization of labor and capital, especially information technology systems. Together the five volumes treat comprehensively the major techniques and technologies that are involved.