ICT in Manufacturing

Uses of ICT in Manufacturing
1)Order entry and processing systems (e.g. Chameleon 2000); 2)Project Management Software; 3)Expert Systems (e.g. the "artificial nose" used by Bass); 4) CAD (e.g. AutoCAD; 5) Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM); 6) Robots (cf: the paint line at Samas Roneo.
Advantages of CAD Software
* Drawings can be resized without distortion
* There is a very high degree of accuracy
* Images can be rotated or zoomed in on.

Robots
How they work:
* Sensors capture the data
* A microprocessor processes the data
* Actuators produce movement

A robot can be used for:
* spray painting
* spot welding
* security
* underwater oil rig maintenance
* vehicles in space exploration (e.g. Pathfinder)
Robots have the following advantages:
* They tirelessly perform monotonous and repetitive tasks
* They can perform dangerous tasks (e.g. mine clearance)
* They can work in extreme/inhospitable conditions
* The produce consistent quality of work
Robots have the following disadvantages/limitations:
* Robots reduce the need for human labour (people can lose their jobs)
* Robots are not well-suited to tasks that require initiative or flexibility
Sorce: http://www.thekjs.essex.sch.uk/yates/it01_-_6.htm