New Factory America
Source: Kansas City Plant
Date: 4/1/96    Record No.: 10312
Contact: Scott Wright, 816-997-2549

New Factory America
New Factory America is a concept under development at the Kansas City Plant (a DOE manufacturing facility managed by Allied Signal) to create an integrated "toolbox" of software technologies that will give small to midsize manufacturers the same capabilities as the very large ones. The low-cost software already exists in a pre-alpha test version, and can be demoed on a laptop. The software can receive complicated 3-D solid model data sets from the Internet to respond to requests for quotes. After the contract is awarded, the supplier can use the same software to communicate product definition directly to automated machinery (e.g., machine tool controller, plastic injection molding machine, or automated pick and place machines).

A plan for a "Virtual Enterprise Integration" includes the "Desktop Manufacturing System" with an "Information Based Manufacturing Infrastructure". (This could be a good initiative for a local economic development program.)

Topics: END USE
Keywords: manufacturing