Design and development of a factory of the future in Turkey.

The Factory of the Future programme of work embraces a number of collaborative research projects primarily concerned with factory automation. The current research encompasses the development of a laser device for machine tool calibration and a wireless network for application in manufacturing factories. A further work concerns research into design of a knowledge-based-system (KBS) for information automation as the basis for automating an entire manufacturing enterprise. The latter work is hoped to lead to the introduction of Intelligent Integrated Product Cycle (I2PC). This approach involves the development of a self-learning automated management system, which can be applied in a manufacturing enterprise, large or small. The paper makes special references to the I2 PC approach and the proposed neural network system and their application in automation of information and production processes within an enterprise.