New technology and how it change manufacturing

New technology and how it change manufacturing

1. CNC MACHINES

   • Advantages
     • The machining speeds are typically higher, so parts are machined in less time
     • The surface finish can be more accurate
     • They offer great consistency, which can otherwise be a challenge when manufacturing products in large numbers
     • CNC machines do need to take breaks - they can work continually, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if needed
     • They can carry out several tasks within a single machining operation
     • One operator may be able to mind several CNC machines, further reducing the labour time that goes into each part
   • Disadvantages
     • CNC machines are much more expensive than manual machines
     • It can take a long time to write a program to operate the CNC machine
   • Computer Numerical Control (CNC) means using a computer to control a machine using numerical data

2. MATERIALS HANDLING

   • When companies invest in CNC machines, one of their main objectives is normally to reduce costs
   • It is mainly achieved by reducing the amount of labour time, and therefore labour cost, needed to machine and assemble the product
     • Moving parts around the factory, such as unloading and storing materials and preparing finished products for shipment to customers
     • Moving materials between processes
     • Loading and unloading parts into machines
   • Time will also be needed for materials handling. This means the movement of parts and materials

3. CIE

   • CIM can be used for manufacture finished parts from CAD drawings
   • Computer Integrated Engineering (CIE) provides a complete business system for a manufacturing company integrated by a common database.
   • This means that a single CIE system can link together.
     • CAD design
     • Simulated testing of CAD models during the design of products
     • The use of software to work out what materials need to be ordered and to place orders on suppliers electorinically
     • Production Planning - deciding which products should be made on each machine and the order in which they should be made
     • CAM to manufacture products
     • Keeping quality records
     • The tracking and despatch of products using barcodes