Publication
IEE Proceedings A: Physical Science. Measurement and Instrumentation. Management and Education. Reviews
Paper
EVOLUTION TOWARDS AUTOMATION.
Abstract
The evolution towards automation in manufacturing within IBM is described, taking the plant in Greenock, Scotland, as an example. A strategy was developed, looking a decade or more ahead to the point where the plant would be a high-volume low-cost facility, with full integrated automation as the goal. This may never be completely achieved, but each process is automated when it can be justified financially. Currently, a series of islands of automation exist within the total mosaic of the strategy. Increased productivity permits further phases of capital investment and, in addition, automation ensures consistent high quality.