Manufacturing Automation Management, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1985 A Productivity Handbook

Automation has been employed for many years to provide a multitude of reasonably priced products for the American consumer. However, it has become evident that its real character as a manufacturing systems approach needs to be examined carefully for a better appreciation. In this book the purpose is to examine automation technology in its broadest sense and develop not only an understanding but also present some of the engineering and organization "know-how" by which manufacturing management can more effectively utilize automation to improve pro­ ductivity and combat rising costs in the years ahead. Fundamentally, this book is addressed to manufacturing managers, and the material presented in a manner that will provide the knowledge for assuring success in automating. In addition, it highlights the man­ ufacturing research and long-range planning that will be required for creating the new manufacturing technology so necessary for assuring success in future automation efforts. One of the important facts emphasized in this text is that automation is not merely robotics ar another kind or type of machinery. To effect true productivity improvement requires a fresh look at the entire pro­ duction process or facility-as a completely integrated system. With the developments of the past few years, rapid advances in the technology and the "tools of automation" have brought this imperative goal within the reasonable grasp of manufacturing management in almost every segment of industry. However, to utilize this progress, it is necessary to acquire a working understanding of all facets of automation.

Automation in Manufacture—Its Character and Growth.- Industry Application 1-A: Evolution to Automation.- Industry Application 1-B: The Automated Egg.- 2 Automation of Materials Production Processing.- Industry Application 2-A: Computer Makes Precise Purlins.- Industry Application 2-B: Automated Cleaning of Rim Stock.- Industry Application 2-C: Textile Automation.- 3 In-Process Handling Operations.- Industry Application 3-A: Multi-Floor Automated Delivery.- Industry Application 3-B: Deep Lane Storage.- Industry Application 3-C: Job Lot Production.- Industry Application 3-D: Robot Loads Air Conditioners.- Industry Application 3-E: High Tech, In-Line Bag Making.- 4 Controlling Production Automatically.- Industry Application 4-A: Producing on the Ocean Floor.- Industry Application 4-B: Computerized Open-Die Forging.- Industry Application 4-C: Automatic Batching Systems.- Industry Application 4-D: Automated Can Production.- 5 Manufacturing Information Systems.- Industry Application 5-A: Automated Carousels Feed Typewriter Assemblers on MRP Diet.- Industry Application 5-B: Automating Manufacturing Information.- 6 Integrating the Manufacturing System.- Industry Application 6-A: Computer Integrated Manufacturing.- Industry Application 6-B: Machining System for Diesel Engine Cam Followers.- Industry Application 6-C: Aircraft Component Manufacture.- 7 The FMS Alternative.- Industry Application 7-A: Fuser Rolls for Xerox Duplicators.- Industry Application 7-B: Automated Tractor Assembly.- Industry Application 7-C: Grinding Turbine Blades in Automated Cells.- Industry Application 7-D: System Automates Midvolume Production.- 8 Manufacturing Engineering and the System.- Industry Application 8-A: Semiconductor Circuit Production.- 9 R & D for Manufacturing Automation.- Industry Application 9-A: Flexible Manufacturing System.- Industry Application 9-B: Computerized Gear Generating.- 10 The Product and Design Engineering.- 11 Design for Automated Assembly.- Industry Application 11-A: Assembling Motor Armatures.- Industry Application 11-B: Automotive Assembly Respot Welding.- 12 Designing for N/C Production.- 13 Management Philosophy for Automation.- Industry Application 13-A: Automotive Automation.- 14 Industrial Relations Policy for Automation.- Industry Application 14-A: Training for Automation.- 15 Automation Systems Accounting.- 16 Roadblocks to Automation.