Integrated information processing for manufacturing—from CAD/CAM to CIM

The trend to integrated information processing (CAD/ CAM) leads to some new requiements. Consistent information processing in the presparation of production and in the production process demands an efficient division of labour between man and machine, the future-oriented engineer having to be especially prepared for this. In the present paper the resulting new demands on training and education are formulated. The essential features of integrated systems of automated information processing are characterized, and fundamental problems of the complex decision findings are explained from the angle of the manufacturing engineering. The paper is concluded by examples of solutions for the fully automated preparation and execution of production.