Electronic computers and engineer the production engineer

Abstract

This Paper commences with an appreciation of the two most important extra facilities which may be obtained from the use of an electronic digital computer system. These are quite fundamental considerations showing that a computer provides more than the simple clear cut speeding up of arithmetical processes which have previously been carried out by manual methods or other forms of mechanised accounting. The Paper continues by describing a typical electronic computer designed from the outset to deal with commercial and industrial accounting rather than for scientific calculating. This description is limited strictly to considerations of logical design and the results which may be obtained, rather than of the hardware inside the computer, taking due note of the maxim that ?it is not necessary to know how a watch works to tell the time ?. The application of such equipment to the prepara tion of weaving schedules from original orders in a textile mill is used to illustrate one method of dealing with the general problem of parts and material scheduling and stock control. In conclission there is an appreciation of some of the eflects on management of the introduction of faster, more comprehensive control information.