Qualified Production Work and CAD/CAM Integration.

The discussion on the subject of 'the factory of the future' is characterized primarily by the term CIM - Computer Integrated Manufacturing. CIM involves the idea of a new and systematic rationalization approach, as is generally known. As a form of rationalization which is primarily related to the overall process, CIM is intended to cover all operational areas in terms of information technology and to integrate these areas by means of information technology on the basis of a uniform data inventory. This does not only include the comprehensive use of the computer but covers at the same time the reorganization of existing operational structures. Open and frequently unclarified, however, is the question of the relationship between the application of the computer and the organizational restructuration: often the two dimensions are equalled too quickly. However, the two aspects are to be kept separate from each other if not only the application of the computer but also the organizational change is to be carried out systematically.