Recent Developments of Web Applications in Product Design and Manufacture

Product design and manufacture has been traditionally an area for intensive research and extensive application of computer systems. Early developments in Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) and programmable machinery and devices have brought significant improvements in productivity and product quality. An issue of “Islands of Automation” had emerged before further potentials could be achieved. By the late 70s, the need for integration was recognised and one of the major challenges faced by the CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) research was to address the conspicuous lack of standards for communication capability among computers and programmable devices. Later on, MAP (Manufacturing Automation Protocols)/TOP (Technical and Office Protocols) were proposed and gradually developed as international standards (Jones, 1987).