A course/laboratory in Computer Integrated Manufacturing system as an integral part of a Mechanical Engineering Technology program

Manufacturers are increasingly automating their production lines with Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) systems in order to stay competitive in the world market. The trend among manufacturers today is to produce smaller batches of more varied products. Without CIM automation, this trend would result in higher costs associated with increased setup time and additional labor. There are, however, many difficulties that manufacturers face in implementing a CIM system. One of these is a shortage of qualified CIM technicians and engineers. Manufacturers have great need for graduates who understand CIM and the integration of all the elements of a CIM system. This need in Southeast Georgia is being addressed by Georgia Southern University (GSU). A course /laboratory in CIM system at GSU provides an industriallevel training in an educational environment.