A methodology for the automation of medium or small manufacturing companies

Abstract

Many products are produced by discrete manufacturing plants in lots of 100 items or fewer. Currently, most small and medium-sized manufacturing companies are far from computer-integrated automation. New computer-integrated manufacturing systems with their associated hardwares require tremendous initial investments that are beyond the means of most small and medium-sized companies. In this paper we investigate how these companies can upgrade and automate their existing facilities at a minimal and viable cost. In Section 2 we discuss main references (books and trade journals) that contain detailed information on software packages for automation. In Section 3 we discuss the criteria for selecting software packages. In Section 4 we discuss how to use the obtained information to create a data base of different alternatives. In Section 5 we outline different areas of manufacturing. For illustrations, we discuss manufacturing planning, intelligent systems, and computer areas. In Section 6 we discuss a new method for the selection of the best alternative using the data base. The method is a simple interactive paired comparison method based on a computer package developed on a personal computer.