A feasibility study of computer-integrated manufacturing implementation in a printed circuit board manufacturing environment

Abstract

The feasibility study of CIM implementation in Company XYZ has been a very enriching experience for the candidate. Company XYZ has seen the need to employ CIM Technologies in the company to be the global BEST-IN-CLASS PCB operation. Various components of CIM Technology are already in the existing manufacturing operations. Many of these CIM technologies are embedded in the equipment and systems. They exist as non-integrated islands of automation. The study has found that the level of computerization for the business support functions is higher than for the other functions of the company. In particular, the Finance, Accounts, Purchasing and Store Systems are using the present Dataflex database system very effectively. However, the engineering systems and manufacturing systems are largely manual and are not integrated to one another or to the business support systems.