Katsundo HITOMI

Kyoto University, Southwest Jiaotong University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Katsundo Hitomi is a pioneering figure in manufacturing systems engineering, whose work has fundamentally shaped the integration of product design and process planning. His primary research areas include computer-integrated manufacturing, flexible manufacturing systems, and production scheduling. Hitomi’s most influential contribution is the concept of integrated optimization of machine product design and process design, as articulated in his seminal 1989 paper (23 citations), which proposed a unified decision-making framework to bridge computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. This work laid the groundwork for what is now known as concurrent engineering. He also made significant advances in flexible manufacturing cells (FMC), addressing the critical challenge of automating set-up operations for low-volume, variety production. His 1989 paper on design and scheduling for FMCs with automatic set-up equipment (12 citations) introduced practical solutions for improving efficiency in flexible manufacturing environments. Hitomi’s research has been highly influential, earning him recognition as a thought leader in manufacturing systems. His integrated approach continues to inform modern smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 initiatives, making his work essential reading for students and researchers in industrial engineering and production management.