ABSTRACT
With increasing tempo, advanced aerospace production processes make use of CAD/CAM and CIM techniques to help counter the trends of rising manufacturing costs and declining productivity. Figure 55 illustrates trends of expected applications of CAD methods within the aerospace industry to the year 2000. The aerospace "factory of the future" (perhaps the not so distant future) will consist of the complete integration of micro, mini and mainframe computers, NC manufacturing machines, industrial robotic systems, plant layout, and management structure within a data-based management system (DBMS). A DBMS consists of a large-scale software framework for storing, organising and retrieving data which can be used for various applications within a single organisational structure. Conceivably, every organisational function from top level management to the shop floor (including design, finance, strategic planning, marketing, quality control and assurance, project planning and control, and manufacturing production centres) will be integrated within such a computerised system. CAD/CAM is specifically concerned with the production of a component, sub-system, or complete system, by integrating and automating design and manufacturing activities.
