Question

Which of the following statements about the impact of CAD/CAM on manufacturing is most accurate?

1) CAD/CAM is most useful to firms producing durable goods such as automobiles.
2) CAD/CAM has replaced ERP as the most sophisticated resource planning technique.
3) CAD/CAM allows firms to save money by replacing skilled labor with computers to perform all of the high-skill tasks.
4) CAD/CAM has made it possible to produce custom-designed products with little increase in costs.

Answer 1

The most accurate statement about the impact of CAD/CAM on manufacturing is that it has made it possible to produce custom-designed products with little increase in costs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The impact of CAD/CAM on manufacturing is multifaceted, but when evaluating which statement is most accurate, we should consider the capabilities and advantages of CAD (computer-aided design) and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing). CAD/CAM is indeed useful to firms producing a wide range of goods, including durable goods such as automobiles. This is because it allows for intricate design and precise engineering, which are critical in these industries. However, CAD/CAM has not replaced ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning); rather, it complements ERP's broader scope of resource planning across an organization's functions. The third statement is a misunderstanding, as CAD/CAM does not replace skilled labor entirely but rather changes the nature of the work, enhancing and supporting skilled labor with more efficient and precise tools. The fourth and most accurate statement reflects CAD/CAM's ability to facilitate the production of custom-designed products at a scale where the increase in costs is minimized.