CIM - THE FOUNDATION FOR FACTORY AUTOMATION.

The technology of computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) continues to advance rapidly, with no evidence that the state-of-the-CIM-art is likely to stagnate for some time to come. The CAD/CAM market, for example, is growing at a compound annual rate of 39%. The growing capabilities and decreasing costs of standalone CAD/CAM workstations and personal computer-based CAD/CAM are also making these elements of CIM increasingly attractive - and affordable - to a broadening base of users. Absorbing the impact of this growth, and exploiting the variety of benefits that CIM offers, are major challenges for manufacturing today.