Implementation and assessment of computer integrated manufacturing in systems engineering education

Abstract

AbstractThis article is concerned with the presentation of consolidation of Industrial Engineering (IE) and Automation and Control Engineering (ACE) under Systems Engineering frame while demonstrating how Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) systems can be a sufficient for the proper perspective on the topic of concern, Systems Engineering practical example conforming to this integration. Systems Engineering involves with finding integrated solutions to problems that are of large scale and scope, which are in the nature of cross and inter‐disciplinary. The article addresses to certain details, identity, and Systems Engineering program at Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey which consolidates IE, and ACE. CIM system can be considered as a typical Systems Engineering topic of concern since its hierarchical structure and sufficient complexity as well as being tangible and scalable for the purpose of education. CIM philosophy can be viewed as the peak of ongoing effort in the application of automation in the manufacturing and it encapsulates the total manufacturing enterprise through the use of integrated systems and data communications coupled with new managerial philosophies that improve organizational and personnel efficiency. The manufacturing of a simple toy car in the CIM lab is presented as a case study to demonstrate exploiting the concepts and notions given in the IE and ACE. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 18: 117–129, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20215