Interesting paper on distributed manufacturing infrastructures.

You can obtain the full version from one of the co-authors:

* Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Faculty for Mechanical Engineering, Institute for Ergonomics, Manufacturing systems, at [email protected] (other co-author is Marc Pallot, Centre for Concurrent Enterprise, Nottingham University Business School)

Abstract:

“Distributed Manufacturing is mostly associated with computing features and sophisticated software logics rather than with working environments concurrently used in distant locations. Nowadays, the global success of Web 2.0 and, more specifically, social networking web applications are quite obvious. In fact, information and communication technology (ICT) users are creating web
content, applications and online role-playing games with their own activities and related data in using web applications such as eBay, Facebook, Second Life virtual environment, and World of Warcraft. In manufacturing, interests are quite different and therefore other solutions should contribute to overcome collaborative distance factors that are impeding an effective and efficient distributed collaboration. Using important existing options in this field, this chapter presents an overview on key developments and web applications in the area of distributed computing systems to support effective and efficient collaborative work carried out by different groups of people in different organisational units or companies with a strong focus on engineering communication.”