Successful implementation of advanced manufacturing technology: a cross sectional survey

Abstract

The purposes of this study are to determine (1) the frequency of use of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in south-western United States manufacturing firms, (2) which AMTs have the greatest perceived impact on value, and (3) which have been most successfully employed. The study population consisted of senior manufacturing managers of companies in SIC 34 through 39 located in six south-western states. The study determined that the most frequently used AMT was computer-aided design (CAD), used by 75% of the respondents. Manufacturing resource planning (MRP), computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining, statistical process control (SPC), and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) were used by at least one-third of the respondents. Automated process monitoring and automated material handling were the least used AMTs. Those AMTs perceived to have the greatest positive effect on producer's value are CNC machining, closed loop process control, automated process inspection, flexible manufacturing cells (FMC), robotics, computer-aided manufacturing, computer integrated manufacturing (CIM), and automated process monitoring. The AMTs could be classified into four categories based upon their effect on the two dimensions of value quality and cost. These categories were high value affecting, quality affecting, cost affecting, and low value affecting. Four of the high value affecting AMTs were among those rated as having the highest overall degree of success. However, the study found that dissonance exists between the AMTs which are most used and those which are perceived to have the greatest effect on value.