What system combines robotics and computer integrated manufacturing in a single production process?

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analytical process a process in operations management in which raw materials are broken into different component parts

automation the total or near-total use of machines to do work

capacity the amount of products or services that an organization can produce in a given time

capital-intensive technology a process in which machines and equipment do most of the work

computer-aided design (CAD) the use of computers to aid in the development of products

computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) the use of computers to plan and control manufacturing processes

computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) a computer system that not only helps to design products but also controls the machinery needed to produce the finished product

continuous process a manufacturing process in which a firm produces the same product(s) over a long period of time

critical path the sequence of production activities that takes the longest time from start to finish

design planning the development of a plan for converting a product idea into an actual product
flexible manufacturing system (FMS) a single production system that combines robotics and computer-integrated manufacturing

form utility utility created by converting production inputs into finished products

Gantt chart a graphic scheduling device that displays the tasks to be performed on the vertical axis and the time required for each task on the horizontal axis
inspection the examination of the quality of work in process

intermittent process a manufacturing process in which a firm's manufacturing machines and equipment are changed to produce different products

International Organization for Standardization a nongovernmental organization in Geneva, Switzerland, with a membership of 156 countries that develops standards for products to facilitate trade across national borders

inventory control the process of managing inventories in such a way as to minimize inventory costs, including both holding costs and potential stock-out costs

just-in-time inventory system    a system designed to ensure that materials or supplies arrive at a facility just when they are needed so that storage and holding costs are minimized
labor-intensive technology    a process in which people must do most of the work
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award   An award given by the President of the United States to organizations that apply and are judged to be outstanding in specific managerial tasks that lead to improved quality for both products and services

mass production A manufacturing process that lowers the cost required to produce a large number of identical or similar products over a long period of time

materials requirements planning (MRP) a computerized system that integrates production planning and inventory control

operations management all activities managers engage in to produce goods and services
PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) a scheduling technique that identifies the major activities necessary to complete a project and sequences them based on the time required to perform each one

planning horizon the period during which a plan will be in effect

plant layout the arrangement of machinery, equipment, and personnel within a production facility

product design the process of creating a set of specifications from which a product can be produced

product line a group of similar products that differ only in relatively minor characteristics

productivity the average level of output per worker per hour

purchasing all the activities involved in obtaining required materials, supplies, and parts from other firms

quality circle a group of employees who meet on company time to solve problems of product quality

quality control the process of ensuring that goods and services are produced in accordance with design specifications

research and development (R&D) a set of activities intended to identify new ideas that have the potential to result in new goods and services

robotics the use of programmable machines to perform a variety of tasks by manipulating materials and tools

scheduling the process of ensuring that materials and other resources are at the right place at the right time

service economy an economy in which more effort is devoted to the production of services than to the production of goods

Six Sigma A disciplined approach that relies on statistical data and improved methods to eliminate defects for a firm's products and services

statistical process control (SPC) a system that uses random sampling to obtain data that are plotted on control charts and graphs to see if the production process is operating as it should and to pinpoint problem areas

statistical quality control (SQC) a set of specific statistical techniques used to monitor all aspects of the production process to ensure that both work in progress and finished products meet the firm's quality standards

synthetic process a process in operations management in which raw materials or components are combined to create a finished product

utility the ability of a good or service to satisfy a human need

Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) refers to an integrated approach of manufacturing that combines different technologies and computer-controlled operations for a fully integrated manufacturing process. In today’s industrial facilities, there are many different technology systems running different parts of the manufacturing process, from engineering to production, and from quality control to financial accounting. Many of these processes are automated, running on distinct and separate technology platforms. Computer-Integrated Manufacturing organizes each of these separate components into an integrated system.

Advantages of Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

The advantages of computer integrated manufacturing are recognized across different manufacturing sectors. As it combines different types of technologies, it can lead to an increase in speed of the manufacturing process, as well as support automation. It combines different applications and technologies that are involved on the production side, such as engineering, robotics, and automation production systems, as well as the systems running the business side of a production facility, such as enterprise management solutions and resource planning platforms.

Benefits of Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

The benefits of computer integrated manufacturing include not only optimizing the production and business processes, but also providing data storage, data processing, and real time sensors. This allows for greater flexibility and control over the production process, as well ensuring a manufacturer’s ability to provide enhanced quality control and be able to quickly respond to any issues that may arise. This provides a level of responsiveness that is crucial in today’s dynamic, fast-paced business environment.

Integrated manufacturing can streamline the entire production process, leading to reduced downtime, reduced errors, and thereby reduced operational costs (both direct and indirect). In addition, it can optimize planning, purchasing, and inventory control systems, as they can be linked to each other, as well as to the systems running the production process. The data for each platform can contribute to manufacturing analytics, which can provide a wide range of insights to manufacturers to increase throughput, reduce costs, and gain transparency over their supply chain.

With a computer integrated manufacturing system, businesses can completely automate their manufacturing facility, with all processes running under one system, communicating with each other, and providing real-time data that can lead to strategic business decisions. In addition, it can contribute to the flexibility of a facility, as the manufacturing process can be modified as needed, regarding product volumes or the production processes.

As computer integrated manufacturing can link various areas such as planning, purchasing, inventory control, design, and production, it provides managers with an added advantage of gaining comprehensive, improved control over the different components of the manufacturing process.

Using robots to perform surgery once seemed like a futuristic fantasy, but not anymore. An estimated 1.5 million robotic procedures have been performed by the da Vinci Surgical System according to its creator, Intuitive Surgical.

So what accounts for the surge in robotic surgeries? Some preliminary studies suggest improved outcomes for patients. Surgeons who use the da Vinci Surgical System find that patients have less blood loss and pain, lower risks of complications, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times than those who have open surgery—or even, in some cases, laparoscopic procedures that are also performed through multiple small incisions.

In October 2005, Dr. Francis Sutter, chief of cardiology at the Heart Center at Lankenau Hospital near Philadelphia, did the first da Vinci double bypass. His patient, a 65-year-old man, had just a single two-inch incision on the left side of his chest and was walking 30 minutes a day just a week and a half after surgery. Tests show his heart function to be normal again.

So what are the downsides? At a price of $1.3 million each, the cost of the robots can be a barrier. Because insurance companies pay a fixed amount for a procedure regardless of how it is performed, the hospital is left to pick up the tab for the more expensive robotic surgeries. Sutter’s center held fundraisers to help pay for the da Vinci Surgical System. And some surgeons are reluctant to commit the time necessary to learn robotic techniques. There is also a concern that once a hospital invests in such an expensive system, surgeons may feel pressured to use it and steer patients toward surgery over other treatment options.

Other types of technology also improve health care. At Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee, intensive-care nurses check a patient coming out of heart-bypass surgery—from a building several miles away. This is the Aurora eICU, from which a team of doctors and nurses keep constant watch on more than 10 intensive care units in four different hospitals spread across eastern Wisconsin. “The idea is not to make care more remote,” says David Rein, the unit’s medical director, “but to bring expertise to the patient’s bedside faster than we ever could before.”

Monitors display vital signs and the patient’s electronic chart, with details on medications, lab tests and X-ray results, and notes on the patient’s condition. Cameras can zoom in so closely that monitoring staff can see the capillaries in a patient’s eyes.

A survey recently found that patient mortality was 7.2 percent lower in hospitals that were “wired,” which has a lot of health care researchers excited. Although the survey doesn’t prove that technology causes better patient outcomes, it does show there is a strong connection.

Of course, robotic surgery raises some ethical issues. Recent developments suggest ethical issues that may arise when implementing technology into health care practices. Dr. Bertalan Meskó, who wrote the book The Guide to the Future of Medicine, identified such issues, including the hacking of medical devices, defending our privacy, scanning ourselves at home (without medical guidance), how society changes if we can prolong life, and possible bioterrorism due to technological advances.

Critical Thinking Questions

How is technology being used to streamline hospital operations, improve the quality of patient care, and provide better outcomes for patients?
What criteria should hospitals use to evaluate whether these expensive technologies are worthwhile investments?

Sources: Bertalan Meskó, “Ethical Issues of the Future of Medicine: The Top 10,” Medical Futurist, http://medicalfuturist.com, accessed February 20, 2018; Thomas Macaulay, “Could the ‘World’s Smallest Surgical Robot’ Make Keyhole Surgery Mainstream?” Tech World, https://www.techworld.com, December 28, 2017; Greg Adamson, “Ethics and Technology,” IEEE Standards University, https://www.standardsuniversity.org, March 13, 2017; Nayef Al-Rodhan, “The Many Ethical Implications of Emerging Technologies,” Scientific American, https://www.scientificamerican.com, March 13, 2015; Nick Glass and Matthew Knight, “Would You Have Surgery at the Hands of a Robot?” CNN, http://www.cnn.com, August 5, 2013; Josh Fishman, “Can High Tech Save Your Life?” U.S. News & World Report, August 1, 2005, p. 45–52.