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Research papers rather than software solutions
Books Research papers rather than software solutions Software for discrete manufacturing, J P Crestin and J F McWaters (eds), North-Holland (1986) pp 608 This book conveys the proceedings of the Sixth International IFIP/IFAC Conference on software for discrete manufacturing, held in Paris, June 1985. Like any proceedings of an international conference, the book has the advantage of multi-author inputs to the general field of planning and computer-aided approaches to manufacturing on a broad range of subjects. At the same time it has the disadvantage of being a collection of individual contributions on a range of subjects, and because discussion is not reported, the useful interactions between specialized authors and a broad user base of interested and knowledgeable participants is not available. One of the problems of texts that deal with software is that the latter can only be described and illustrated; the software itself is not conveyed in a listing or other form, in general, and hence the studentof such contributions gains understanding of the method of approach, but is unable to run or experience the use of the software described. A large proportion of the potential users of software for discrete manufacturing would be only too happy to gain experience of and, where practical advantage is demonstrably available, obtain a package or version of the
software. Unfortunately, it would appear that very few of the software systems described are available. Where a large number of experienced computer users are able, from the general market-place of software products, to access, try and evaluate a range of often competitive products, the description only in a proceedings of this type, relating to specialized and potentially useful software, though largely unavailable, is somewhat frustrating. The book is therefore primarily aimed at the researcher and to some extent the educationalist, who wishes to appreciate in general terms the approaches made by fellow academics and researchers, and has the capability to relate or incorporate his own preferred direction accordingly. The proceedings are divided into four subject categories, with invited papers in key areas. These categories are the design and implementation of CADCAM systems; CAD; computeraided process design and production planning and optimization; robotics and automated manufacturing systems; and artificial intelligence in CADCAM. Some repetition is evident in this subject architecture, and indeed a number of contributions relate to the subject-oriented research contributions to a wide range of manufacturing conferences and proceedings. The most difficult achievement from conference proceedings, in spite of the broad base and experience of the range
Incomplete and disparate selections Architectural design and CAD, Yvon Gardan (Ed), Kogan Page, London, UK 112 pp An inexplicable little book: quite disparate contributions from 11 authors and no editorial to explain their existence or offer a rationale for their selection. Despite the title of the book, one contribution is about bridge design. Another, on the subject of computer synthesized pictures contains not a single illustration! Yet another refers to slideswhich don't appear and peters out (mercifully) in mid-sentence
volume 19 number 6 july/august 1987
after 2½ pages! There are some quite decent papers including reviews of CAAD developments in the UK, the Nordic Countries and Japan, a breezy account of the rise and rise of cheap drafting systems in the US and an overview on CAAD education and training. This book comprises selections from the proceedings of the last three MICAD conferences. Unfortunately, it is incomplete as there are illustrations missing.
T W Mayer
of contributors, relates to coherence of treatment, completeness of coverage and implementability of an overall solution to the multifaceted problems of manufacturing. The book does not avoid this problem. Nevertheless, there is much of value that is brought within the compass of a single cover. Some of the papers are authoritative and comprehensive. The area of CAD is well represented by some solid papers, and this mirrors the track record and capability of the established centres of excellence in this field. There are undoubtedly other sources in which these contributions, or papers in the same vein, are also available. Interesting contributions are contained in the areas of manufacturing systems and group technology. In a collection of papers devoted to discrete manufacturing, there are papers dealing with a diverse range of basic processes, including turning, welding, robotics and flexible manufacturing systems. Simulation, job shop control and offline programming feature, as do sensors, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition and human aspects of manufacturing and its software driven environment. The book is recommended as a one volume collection of research papers dealing with the subject of software for discrete manufacturing, rather than conveying a rich source of available software solutions.
] Crookafl
Reprints of articles in ComputerAided Design are available in minimum quantities of 100 from: Reprints Department, Butterworth Scientific Ltd, PO Box 63, Westbury House, Bury Street, Guildford, GU2 5BH, Surrey, UK
Any comments on Cliff Long's paper 'Special B~zier quartics in 3D curve design and interpolation' should be addressed to: Dr C A Long, Bowling Green State University, Dept of Mathematics and Statistics, Bowling Green, OH 43403-0221, USA.
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software. Unfortunately, it would appear that very few of the software systems described are available. Where a large number of experienced computer users are able, from the general market-place of software products, to access, try and evaluate a range of often competitive products, the description only in a proceedings of this type, relating to specialized and potentially useful software, though largely unavailable, is somewhat frustrating. The book is therefore primarily aimed at the researcher and to some extent the educationalist, who wishes to appreciate in general terms the approaches made by fellow academics and researchers, and has the capability to relate or incorporate his own preferred direction accordingly. The proceedings are divided into four subject categories, with invited papers in key areas. These categories are the design and implementation of CADCAM systems; CAD; computeraided process design and production planning and optimization; robotics and automated manufacturing systems; and artificial intelligence in CADCAM. Some repetition is evident in this subject architecture, and indeed a number of contributions relate to the subject-oriented research contributions to a wide range of manufacturing conferences and proceedings. The most difficult achievement from conference proceedings, in spite of the broad base and experience of the range
Incomplete and disparate selections Architectural design and CAD, Yvon Gardan (Ed), Kogan Page, London, UK 112 pp An inexplicable little book: quite disparate contributions from 11 authors and no editorial to explain their existence or offer a rationale for their selection. Despite the title of the book, one contribution is about bridge design. Another, on the subject of computer synthesized pictures contains not a single illustration! Yet another refers to slideswhich don't appear and peters out (mercifully) in mid-sentence
volume 19 number 6 july/august 1987
after 2½ pages! There are some quite decent papers including reviews of CAAD developments in the UK, the Nordic Countries and Japan, a breezy account of the rise and rise of cheap drafting systems in the US and an overview on CAAD education and training. This book comprises selections from the proceedings of the last three MICAD conferences. Unfortunately, it is incomplete as there are illustrations missing.
T W Mayer
of contributors, relates to coherence of treatment, completeness of coverage and implementability of an overall solution to the multifaceted problems of manufacturing. The book does not avoid this problem. Nevertheless, there is much of value that is brought within the compass of a single cover. Some of the papers are authoritative and comprehensive. The area of CAD is well represented by some solid papers, and this mirrors the track record and capability of the established centres of excellence in this field. There are undoubtedly other sources in which these contributions, or papers in the same vein, are also available. Interesting contributions are contained in the areas of manufacturing systems and group technology. In a collection of papers devoted to discrete manufacturing, there are papers dealing with a diverse range of basic processes, including turning, welding, robotics and flexible manufacturing systems. Simulation, job shop control and offline programming feature, as do sensors, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition and human aspects of manufacturing and its software driven environment. The book is recommended as a one volume collection of research papers dealing with the subject of software for discrete manufacturing, rather than conveying a rich source of available software solutions.
] Crookafl
Reprints of articles in ComputerAided Design are available in minimum quantities of 100 from: Reprints Department, Butterworth Scientific Ltd, PO Box 63, Westbury House, Bury Street, Guildford, GU2 5BH, Surrey, UK
Any comments on Cliff Long's paper 'Special B~zier quartics in 3D curve design and interpolation' should be addressed to: Dr C A Long, Bowling Green State University, Dept of Mathematics and Statistics, Bowling Green, OH 43403-0221, USA.
331