What term describes a CIM system that manufactures products to individual customer orders?

• A. Laminated object manufacture
• B. Mass production
• C. Mass customization
• D. Lamination

Answer: (C)

Mass customization describes a CIM system that manufactures products to individual customer orders, blending the flexibility to tailor each item with the efficiency of automated, integrated production. In this approach, modular designs and configurable options are used so that lines, tooling, and automation can quickly switch between different product variants without sacrificing speed or cost. The system coordinates design data, manufacturing planning, and shop-floor execution—often through CAD/CAM, ERP, and robotics—to produce each order precisely as specified while still leveraging standardized components and processes.

Laminated Object Manufacture is a rapid prototyping method that builds objects from laminated sheets, not about fulfilling customized orders in a production environment. Lamination is a general material bonding process, not a production strategy. Mass production aims for large quantities of the same item, lacking the customization aspect.