Computer-Aided Engineering for Manufacture

1 Introduction.- Evolution of computer aided manufacture (CAM).- Automation and CAM.- 2 Numerical control.- History of numerical control.- The conventional numerical control concept.- programming.- Real-time control of machine tools.- 3 Computer technology.- Computer assisted programming.- Automatic programmed tooling (APT).- Adaptive control.- Machinability data banks.- 4 Communications networking.- Conventional ways of connecting terminals.- Uses of computer networks.- Local area networks (LANs).- Wide area networks (WANs).- Network architecture: protocols and standards.- Data transmission.- 5 Computer process control monitoring.- Information provided by monitoring.- Supervisory computer control.- Communications networks for factory monitoring.- Programmable logic controllers (PLCs).- Input/output interfaces.- Shop floor information systems.- 6 The integration of CAD and CAM.- The evolution of CADCAM.- The concept of integration.- Fundamentals of CAD.- CAM software.- CADCAM database.- Where does CADCAM improve productivity?.- Defining CADCAM project objectives.- Procedures to be followed in a CADCAM implementation.- 7 Robotics technology and applications.- Definition of an industrial robot.- Basic components of industrial robots.- Robot performance characteristics.- Commercial robots.- Future developments.- Problem areas.- Future trends.- 8 Flexible manufacturing systems.- The growth of flexible processing and handling.- FMS characteristics.- Flexibility.- Computer control functions.- Material handling in the FMS.- FMS-GT connection.- Prospects for FMS in UK industry.- 9 Computer aided production management.- Objectives of CAPM.- Functions of CAPM.- Stock recording and control.- Material requirements planning (MRP).- Capacity requirements planning (CRP).- Process planning.- CAPM package systems.- Cost estimation and financial justification of CAPM.- The effects of CAPM on the UK manufacturing industry.- Computer integrated manufacturing.- 10 Artificial intelligence in manufacturing.- Fifth generation computer systems.- Expert systems.- Expert system languages.- Problem solving and planning.- Diagnostic problems.- Application of AI in engineering design and manufacture.- Application of AI in computer aided process planning.- Limitations of existing AI applications.- Management guidelines towards AI implementation.- The future for artificial intelligence.- Research directions for AI in manufacturing.- References and Bibliography.