Getting the most out of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT)-based systems. Part I: recognising and managing technology limitations

Industrially developed countries have historically relied on manufacturing of goods to achieve and maintain their economic status. In recent years, these developed societies have increased their reliance on technology, particularly automation technology, to enhance manufacturing productivity. There is reason to believe that the faith in excessive reliance on automation technology (technocentric approach) may be misplaced if the overall goal is to enhance the productivity of manufacturing enterprises. This two-part paper argues in favour of a human-centred (anthropocentric) approach to modern manufacturing. In Part I, the limitations of technology are examined and a case for a human-centred (anthropocentric) approach to manufacturing is made on the basis of: 1) actual productivity gains in industrially developed countries in the era of AMT; 2) economics; 3) issues such as technical feasibility and equipment capability and reliability; and 4) problems created by manufacturing automation technologies. In Part II limitations of the human worker are examined, and ways to overcome them are discussed.