Integration of computers with factory processes

Manufacturing processes in which each unit of the product may need individual treatment can be integrated with, and controlled by, computers. At each decision point in the flow of the product through the factory, the computer takes account of the overall production plan, the conditions in the neighbourhood of the decision point, and the past history of the product-unit involved. This application of computers involves more transfers of information than in a mathematical or business computer, but the speed at which the information must flow is much slower. Hence, the preferred basis and form of the computer are unusual. The paper describes typical computers for this class of application and the manner in which they fit into the requirements.