Computer Integrated Manufacturing

This book contains the text of some 40 technical papers given at the 6th CIM-Europe annual conference held in Lisbon. The theme of the conference was "Using emerging CIM technologies for the competitiveness of European manufacturing technology." The conference sessions covered a wide range of topics including computer aided planning, technology transfer, tools for integration, robotics, impact and experience in CIM, human factors, and enabling technologies. The advantages gained from applying CIM are: increased production, case reduction, and the rapid modification of design and production. The speakers, from industry and academia, represent leading edge research in most of the western European countries. Approximately half of the papers describe the results of CIM projects funded as part of the European Commu- nities ESPRIT programme. ESPRIT (European Strategic Programme for Research and Development in Information Technology) is an industry-oriented colaborative research and development programme, and is managed and co-funded by the European Communities. CIM-Europe is the information and awareness activity of ESPRIT CIM. The conference was jointly supported by the Commission of the European Communities and the Ministry of Industry and Energy of Portugal.