HIGH-VOLUME MANUFACTURERS CONTINUE TO FACE PRESSURE TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE AND TO BRING PRODUCTS TO THE MARKETPLACE MORE RAPIDLY. IN MACHINING, DEDICATED EQUIPMENT REMAINS THE MOST EFFICIENT METHOD FOR THESE MANUFACTURERS TO PRODUCE THEIR MATURE PRODUCTS, BUT IT DOES NOT OFFER THE FLEXIBILITY TO DEAL WITH PRODUCTS AT OTHER STAGES OF THEIR LIFE CYCLES. A CNC/DNC SHOP SUPPORTING THE HIGH-VOLUME, DEDICATED EQUIPMENT SHOP PROVIDES THE FLEXIBILITY REQUIRED TO HANDLE PARTS IN THE PROTOTYPE, SAMPLE BUILD, RAMP-UP, AND PHASE-OUT STAGES OF PRODUCT LIFE. SUCH A SHOP ALSO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR EARLIER INVOLVEMENT OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING IN THE DESIGN PROCESS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR EARLIER PROCESS DEVELOPMENT, AND REDUCTION OF RISK ASSOCIATED WITH PURCHASE OF DEDICATED EQUIPMENT. EFFECTIVE USE OF SIMULTANEOUS PRODUCT AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT METHODS IS A KEY TO OBTAINING MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM THE
| Number of Pages : | 6 |
| Published : | 06/01/1990 |
