One of the major problems that must be overcome in implementing CIM is communications incompatibility between the different areas of the business, which frequently evolve using different items of computer hardware and software. To overcome these incompatibility problems, several standards are being developed.

Manufacturing automation protocol (MAP)—a communications standard for enhancing compatibility between different automated manufacturing systems.

Technical and office protocol (TOP)—a standard for integrating manufacturing and various office environments.

Initial graphics exchange specifications (IGES)—a protocol used to communicate the graphic (geometric) elements of a design or process between dissimilar CAD, analysis, and production systems.

Product data exchange standard (PDES)—a standard for translating file formats from one system to another of solid models, nongraphic data management, and electronic design.

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is a design approach that focuses on simplicity of product design, for easier, more efficient manufacturability.

Group technology identifies items with similar design or manufacturing characteristics. Similar parts are grouped into part families.

Computer-aided process planning (CAPP) is an intelligent computer system that is used to determine the optimal sequence of operations for manufacturing a part.

Material requirement planning (MRP) is a computer based process that calculates the amount of raw materials necessary to manufacture a specified number of products.

Product lifecycle management (PLM) is a new term that addresses the management of the key product data from a product's conception through its production life.

Product data management (PDM) software helps companies integrate product data through the entire product lifecycle.

The three primary production components that must be controlled are: materials, machines, and processes.

Material control is a process for recognizing what raw materials are needed and when, using 'just in time' techniques.

A robot is a computer controlled machine designed to identify and move materials, parts, and tools, using various motions.

A conveyor system is used to move raw materials through the manufacturing process, principally from one station to another.

Automated guided vehicles (AGV) are computer controlled vehicles used to transport raw materials from storage to work station, or from station to station. AGVs are especially valuable in a hazardous environment.

Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) are computer controlled warehousing processes used to receive, store, and distribute materials. Robots, conveyors, and AGVs are used within an AS/RS system.

With CAD, the material control process is analyzed by modeling the factory floor, then animating the various processes, to determine the smooth flow of materials, check for potential collisions of automated vehicles, and check the work envelope of robots.

Quality first, or TQM, is built on several assumptions:

There must be a strong top management commitment.

Quality saves money, it does not cost money.

The responsibility for quality is primarily with management, not with the workers.

Quality is a never-ending, continuous process of improvement.

Quality is built on a strong problem-solving team approach.

Quality is customer oriented.

The TQM approach can be summarized as follows:

Determine what the customer wants, using surveys, focus groups, interviews, etc., thus involving the customer in the decision making process.

Design the product that meets the customer’s needs, and is easy to produce, use, and service.

Design a production facility and process that will produce the product correctly the first time. Work on preventing mistakes, instead of finding and correcting them. If mistakes do occur, determine the cause and correct the source of the problem.

Keep accurate records of results, and use them to improve the system. This should be a continuous, ongoing effort.

Extend this concept to suppliers and distributors.

Important concepts in a TQM business are:

Continual improvement in the persistent efforts to improve existing conditions.

Competitive bench marking is defined as the evaluation of other organizations that are the best in their class.

Employee empowerment is the authorization to workers to make changes; strong motivation to improve the process.

Team approach is the use of teams for problem solving and for getting everyone involved in the quality effort.

Quality control education is the dissemination of information on the tools and techniques of quality control and process improvement.

SPC requires the use of measuring devices, such as calipers, micrometers, protractors, laser devices, and coordinate measuring machines. Graduated instruments have either linear or angular markings and are placed directly on the part being inspected. Graduated instruments include: rules and calipers, mong other devices.

Comparative devices are measuring instruments that compare the machined part to a master to determine the amount of deviation. Comparative devices include: mchanical gages, pneumatic gages and electronic gages.

Gage blocks are the master instruments used as a reference for comparative devices and other measuring instruments.

Fixed gages are measuring devices used to determine sizes for a specific function, such as gear teeth, splines, and screw threads. Fixed gages include: clindrical play gages and ring gages, among many others.

Coordinate measuring machines (CMM) are used to measure existing parts for accuracy, or for reverse engineering

Machine control is a process that directs the machine tools.

Process control is the measurement, analysis, and adjustment of manufacturing processes, such as drilling, milling, and turning.