What is Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology?
Mission Statement
The mission of the Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology program at Purdue
University is to serve the citizens of Indiana, the nation, and the world by:
- providing the highest quality manufacturing engineering technology education to prepare
application-oriented graduates for a broad range of career opportunities in both
traditional and highly computer-automated manufacturing environments;
- encouraging and supporting faculty, staff and students to engage in scholarly activities
that extend the frontiers of both technology education and technology transfer;
- utilizing the programs top rated facilities and faculty expertise to benefit Purdue
students, the School of Technology, Purdue University, industry, government, and society
in general.
Vision Statement
The vision of the Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology program is to maintain
recognition as a national leader of manufacturing engineering technology education through
excellence in teaching, innovative industrial partnerships, applied research, and
professional service and outreach.
Department Description
Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology (CIMT) concerns the developing field of
automated manufacturing and materials handling. The use of computers applied to design,
machining, and manufacturing of products as well as quality and process control is
emphasized.
An idea becomes a product through research and development and subsequent
manufacturing. Technologists in this area help arrange for production. The activities of
systematic planning, design, and arrangement of processing methods and equipment will be
conducted so a product can be manufactured economically. This will usually involve a
knowledge of equipment tool design, operation sequencing, worker/machine interaction,
processing procedures, and facilities and plant layout. The study of the properties of
materials and their influence on manufacturing processes is also a vital part of this
field of study.
A computer integrated manufacturing system encompasses all operations from order entry
to product shipment. This can lead to significant cost reductions and better quality. The
CIMT curriculum concentrates on the study of individual subsystems such as materials
handling systems, robotic systems, CNC machining, and automated metrology.
The Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology program awards two degrees:
- Associate of Science degree (A.S.) in Computer-Integrated
Manufacturing Technology (two years)
- Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Computer-Integrated
Manufacturing Technology (four years)
Graduates of the two-year associate degree program are prepared to enter manufacturing
industries as technicians, engineering aides, production assistants, and quality control
assistants. Manufacturing technologists inevitably will work with mechanical, electrical,
and industrial engineers engaged in product or plant design and in production and quality
control. With the accumulation of work experience, promotion to supervisory or
applications specialist positions is often possible.
The primary goal of the CIMT program is to provide all graduates with the solid
technical foundation necessary to insure their success in a wide variety of employment
opportunities. The degree of success that our graduates have encountered has validated
this philosophy.
Graduates of both the A.S. and B.S. programs are in great demand by such firms as:
Anderson Consulting, Allen-Bradley, Borg Warner, Dow Corning, Shuttleworth, Lilly, DuPont,
Ford Motor Company, Delco Electronics, General Motors, Honda of America, General Dynamics,
Caterpillar, and Saturn.
Both the A.S. and B.S. degree programs in Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Technology
are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology.
Additionally, a cooperative education program is available. Co-ops alternate semesters
of industrial work experience with classroom studies. While providing students with
on-the-job work experience and an opportunity to earn credits toward graduation, co-ops
also enable students to earn money to assist in their college expenses.
Statewide Technology
Statewide Technology programs in Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology are
available at a number of Indiana sites. |
