This guide goes beyond CAD/CAM, showing how to support concurrent engineering both cost-effectively and labour-effectively. The author explains the objectives, structure, role, implementation, and management requirements of Engineering Information Management Systems (EIMS), as well as systems currently available. Readers also learn how to choose the best system for their needs and how to determine its user requirements.

A key element to improved industry productivity is effective management of CAD/CAM information. To simulate advancements in this area, a joint NASA/Navy/Industry project designated Integrated Programs for Aerospace-Vehicle Design (IPAD) is underway with the goal of raising aerospace industry productivity through advancement of technology to integrate and manage information involved in the design and manufacturing process. The project complements traditional NASA/DOD research to develop aerospace design technology and the Air Force's Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing (ICAM) program to advance CAM technology. IPAD research is guided by an Industry Technical Advisory Board (ITAB) composed of over 100 representatives from aerospace and computer companies. This paper summarizes IPAD accomplishments to date in development of requirements and prototype software for various levels of company-wide CAD/CAM data management and discusses plans for development of technology for management of distributed CAD/CAM data and information required to control future knowledge-based CAD/CAM systems.

This book provides a framework within which existing or planned computer aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems and simultaneous engineering, can be integrated into an organization to achieve maximum efficiency, utilization and control.

To understand what we know and be aware of what is to be known has become the central focus in the treatment of CAD/CAM issues. It has been some time since we began treating issues arriving from engineering data handling in a low key fashion because of its housekeeping chores and data maintenance aspects representing nonglamorous issues related to automation. Since the advent of CAD/CAM,large numbers of data bases have been generated through standalone CAD systems. And the rate of this automated means of generating data is rapidly increasing; this is possibly the key factor in changing our way of looking at engineering data related problems. As one deeply involved with engineering data handling and CAD/CAM applications, I know that to succeed, we must do our homework: tracking the trends, keeping abreast of new technologies, new applications, new companies and products that are exploding on the scene every day. In today's fast-paced information handling era, just keeping up is a full-time job. That is why ATI has initiated these publications, in order to bring to the users some of the information regarding their experiences in the important fields of CAD/CAM and engineering data handling. This volume contains some of the paper, including revisions, which were presented at the Fifth Automation Technology Conference held in Monterey, California. A series of publications has been initiated through cooperation between ATI and the Kluwer Academic Publishers. The first volume was Advances in Engineering Data Handling-Case Studies.

Get the strategies you need for successful CAD management in this one-of-a-kind resource. You'll learn basics such as how to assign tasks, set budgets, and formulate ROI-and gradually delve into more complex issues such as managing intellectual property, selling ideas to management and end users, and configuring for specific engineering environments. This indispensable resource is packed with savvy insights, practical techniques, and real-world advice to broaden your technical, business, and management skills.

McMahon and Browne explore the processes of defining a product design using CADCAM, developing manufacturing plans and instructions for the product and the management of the manufacturing system itself.