Abstract
The objective of this report is to present the strategic plan for the Factory Automation Systems Division. The explosion of new information technologies and new manufacturing methods such as concurrent engineering, with the corresponding requirements for data interface standards, has made it clear that the Division must reevaluate its present status and develop a strategy that will bering the Division's research and development activities in line with the future needs of U.S. industry.
A vision of 21st century manufacturing is presented in terms of the implementation of the virtual Enterprise and the use of Multi-Enterprise Concurrent Engineering. The vision is based on reports published by the National critical Technologies Panel, the Agile Manufacturing Forum, and the new government Advanced Manufacturing Initiative.