Manufacturing Systems Delphi Study

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents the results of a Delphi inquiry carried out to determine the short and long range technology needs and plans of small and medium sized manufacturers in the Pacific Northwest. Policy directions which cooperative research centers might adopt to aid these enterprises are also examined. Delphi results demonstrated a strong consensus that many types of advanced manufacturing technologies will be used widely by the year 2000 and that their adoption is correlated with company size, net income, and gross sales volume. Functions and types of industrial robots forecasted for use are discussed as well as are timetables for the first use of various technologies. Industry-University cooperative research centers may best serve the needs of manufacturing firms by providing improved educational skills, improved information flow on assessment of technologies, and research in technologies likely to be implemented.