Perhaps the most obvious characteristic of our modern age is the development of manufacturing technologies. We always hear that manufacturing products has become more efficient. We also hear that manufacturing technologies has enabled humans to make more precise, and smaller products. This is evident in the decreasing size of new electronic devices. But what are the manufacturing technologies that facilitated and made all these developments?

One of the advancements in manufacturing is, obviously, the integration of computerized manufacturing systems with manufacturing processes. First, the modeling of a product has become more convenient with the development of 3D modelling systems. These systems have enabled managers, engineers, and technologist to identify potential defects or difficulties during manufacturing.

Computerized machines, however, had more profound effect on manufacturing technology. These machines can produce faster than a human being and with virtually no human errors. Two examples of the computerized systems, which will be discussed further in this article, are: CNC Machines and Robotics.

CNC, which represents Computer Numerically Controlled Machines, refers to the control of a machine tool using numerical commands for the purpose of manufacturing complex products. These machines have been developed in Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1950s [1] while our grandfathers in Yemen used donkeys to travel from a city to another. Numerical Control is now used to control machines that perform different manufacturing processes from milling/machining to welding and grinding. CNC machining centres have helped manufacturers to provide more complex products with unprecedented accuracy.

Robots, on the other hand, are electromechanical devices that are used to perform tasks that are too difficult or dangerous for a human being to do. They are either controlled directly by a human (through a control panel) or pre-programmed to perform certain tasks. In the manufacturing world, robotic arms are usually used. They are used to perform assembly and welding processes. These machines are expensive and require a great deal of effort to maintain them. However, they save manufacturers a lot of assembly time and they are much more accurate than a human arm.

These machines are only being made in countries like Japan, United States, Europe, and China. They are never made, or may not even be used, in third world countries such as Yemen.  Which is understandable, especially when I spoke to an owner of a machining shop in Yemen about CNC machines.  He responded saying, “we don’t need these technologies in this country, we are happy with what we have”.

Note: CNC machines have started to be operated in Yemen recently.

 References:

1) http://libraries.mit.edu/archives/mithistory/histories-offices/servo.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_numerical_control
3) http://www.matsuura.co.uk/news?action=view&newsID=41
4) http://www.kuka.com/en/pressevents/productnews/print/NN_050912_Working
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