World class engineering-the new age and use of CIM

After a review of problems related to the product-development process, the author describes a computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) with electronic documentation project undertaken by his company. There are three major databases in this system. Two are technical databases and one is a business database. There are interconnections between all of the databases and computers. The primary objectives of the project were: to get the CIM concept started at the company; to develop an overall `big picture´ plan to interconnect computers and equipment in manufacturing, engineering, and other areas; to provide new, better tools for doing jobs faster and better; and to study information systems and how electronic documentation fits in. It is concluded that customized CIM systems will provide a large portion of the time reduction in the development process