Enterprise integration in manufacturing

Abstract

Abstract Automation in manufacturing through Integrated Computer Assisted Manufacturing (ICAM) is very much supported by several computer software packages for the different manufacturing functions. Notable among them are: engineering design and drafting, finite element analysis, solid modelling, group technology-classification and coding, process planning, NC tape preparation, manufacturing resources planning, scheduling and shop floor control. Some of these functions are integrated in a few software packages. By enterprise integration it is meant that access to any functional software package to perform a required function should be possible from any computerized work station within the enterprise. Without the integration, information has to be transferred from one department to another orally or in “hard copy.” This form of information transfer is comparatively unproductive. Therefore integration of the different functions in an enterprise starting from order entry to shipping, if achieved, will increase the total productivity of an enterprise. The ultimate objective of enterprise integration is to create a factory to operate without paper. This paper discusses a possible approach and problems associated in integrating the enterprise functions in manufacturing.