Computer Applications in Production and Engineering: IFIP TC5 International Conference on Computer Applications in Production and Engineering (CAPE '97) 5-7 November 1997, Detroit, Michigan, USA

In the latter half of the 20th century, forces have conspired to make the human community, at last, global. The easing of tensions between major nations, the expansion of trade to worldwide markets, widespread travel and cultural exchange, pervasive high-speed communications and automation, the explosion of knowledge, the streamlining of business, and the adoption of flexible methods have changed the face of manufacturing itself, and of research and education in manufacturing. The acceptanc...