Advanced Manufacturing Technologies: Literature Review

With the emphasis on reducing costs and increasing efficiency, a record number of companies are embarking on different forms of advance manufacturing technologies (AMT). AMT are broadly defined by many authors (small and chen, Sheppard and stock) as “ an automated production system of people, machines and tools for the planning and control of the production process, including the procurement of raw materials, parts and components and the shipment and service of finished products” In particular, AMT is defined as any new manufacturing technique, the adoption of which is likely to lead to changes in a firm’s manufacturing practice, management systems and approaches to design and production engineering of the product. Advanced Manufacturing Technologies are split into: Pure Technical tools (hardware) and Management tools(manufacturing practices software)