Manufacturing systems :: an introduction to the technologies

Manufacturing industries need to respond to ever-increasing demands for flexibility, quality, speed and economy to remain competitive. The ability to do so depends largely on an understanding of how and when modern computing and automation technology shoud be applied. David Williams shows how the hardware and software of automation technology can be harnessed to build successful manufacturing systems. The opening discussion demonstrates how programmable automation bears on manufacturing problems and the early chapters describe the building blocks of systems. The technology of these sub-units is analysed to lead to their integration into sub-systems and cells of factory automation. This sets the stage for explaining how a complete programmable manufacturing facility is organised with full treatment of the control and computing functions involved. The book provides a clear account of steps to automation for engineering students and practising engineers. It clarifies a vastly complex subject and covers all the essential aspects of principle and application in an accessible way. This book should be of interest to second and third year manufacturing engineering students and manufacturing engineers.