Computer-integrated manufacturing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Manufacturing Systems Integration Program,NIST 2008.

CIM & production control system, 1992.

Computer-integrated manufacturing(CIM) in engineering is a method ofmanufacturing in which the entire

productionprocess is controlled by computer. The traditional separated process methods are joined through a computer

by CIM. This integration allows that the processes exchange information with each other and they are able to initiate

actions. Through this, integration the manufacturing can be faster and with fewer errors, although the main advantage is

the ability to create automated manufacturing processes. Typically CIM relies on closed-loop control processes, based on

real-time input from sensors. It is also known as flexible design and manufacturing.

Contents

[hide]

• 1 Overview

• 2 History

• 3 Computer-integrated manufacturing topics

o 3.1 Key challenges

o 3.3 CIMOSA

• 4 Application

• 5 See also

• 6 References

• 7 Further reading

• 8 External links

• 9 References

• 10 References

[edit]Overview

The term "computer-integrated manufacturing" is both a method of manufacturing and the name of a computer-automated

system in which individual engineering, production, marketing, and support functions of a manufacturing enterprise are

organized. In a CIM system functional areas such as design, analysis, planning, purchasing, cost accounting, inventory

control, and distribution are linked through the computer with factory floor functions such as materials handling and

management, providing direct control and monitoring of all process operations.

As method of manufacturing, three components distinguish CIM from other manufacturing methodologies:

 Means for data storage, retrieval, manipulation and presentation;

 Mechanisms for sensing state and modifying processes;

 Algorithms for uniting the data processing component with the sensor/modification component.

CIM is an example of the implementation of information and communication technologies(ICTs) in manufacturing.

CIM implies that there are at least two computers exchanging information, e.g. the controller of a arm robot and a micro-

controller of a CNC machine.

Some factors involved when considering a CIM implementation are the production volume, the experience of the company

or personnel to make the integration, the level of the integration into the product itself and the integration of the production

processes. CIM is most useful where a high level of ICT is used in the company or facility, such as CAD/CAM systems,

the availability of process planning and its data.

[edit]History

The idea of "digital manufacturing" was prominent the 1980s, when computer-integrated manufacturing was developed

and promoted by machine tool manufacturers and theComputer and Automated Systems Association and Society of

Manufacturing Engineers(CASA/SME).
 "CIM is the integration of total manufacturing enterprise by using integrated systems and data communication

coupled with new managerial philosophies that improve organizational and personnel efficiency." ERHUM
[edit]Computer-integrated manufacturing topics
[edit]Key challenges

There are three major challenges to development of a smoothly operating computer-integrated manufacturing

system:

 Integration of components from different suppliers: When different machines, such as CNC,

conveyors and robots, are using different communications protocols. In the case of AGVs, even differing

lengths of time for charging the batteries may cause problems.

 Data integrity: The higher the degree of automation, the more critical is the integrity of the data used

to control the machines. While the CIM system saves on labor of operating the machines, it requires extra

human labor in ensuring that there are proper safeguards for the data signals that are used to control the

machines.

 Process control: Computers may be used to assist the human operators of the manufacturing facility,

but there must always be a competent engineer on hand to handle circumstances which could not be

foreseen by the designers of the control software.

[edit]Subsystems in computer-integrated manufacturing

A computer-integrated manufacturing system is not the same as a "lights-out" factory, which would run completely

independent of human intervention, although it is a big step in that direction. Part of the system involves flexible

manufacturing, where the factory can be quickly modified to produce different products, or where the volume of

products can be changed quickly with the aid of computers. Some or all of the following subsystems may be found

in a CIM operation:

Computer-aided techniques:

 CAD (computer-aided design)

 CAE (computer-aided engineering)

 CAM (computer-aided manufacturing)

 CAPP (computer-aided process planning)

 CAQ (computer-aided quality assurance)

 PPC (production planning and control)

 ERP (enterprise resource planning)

 A business system integrated by a common database.

 CNC, Computer numerical controlled machine tools

 DNC, Direct numerical control machine tools

 PLCs, Programmable logic controllers

 Robotics

 Computers

 Software

 Controllers

 Networks

 Interfacing

 Monitoring equipment

Technologies:

 FMS, (flexible manufacturing system)

 ASRS, automated storage and retrieval system

 AGV, automated guided vehicle

 Robotics

 Automated conveyance systems

Others:

 Lean manufacturing

[edit]CIMOSA

CIMOSA (Computer Integrated Manufacturing Open System Architecture), is a 1990s European proposal for

an open system architecture for CIM developed by the AMICE Consortium as a series of ESPRIT projects.[1][2] The

goal of CIMOSA was "to help companies to manage change and integrate their facilities and operations to face

world wide competition. It provides a consistent architectural framework for both enterprise modeling and enterprise

integration as required in CIM environments".[3]

CIMOSA provides a solution for business integration with four types of products:[4]

 The CIMOSA Enterprise Modeling Framework, which provides a reference architecture for enterprise

architecture

 CIMOSA IIS, a standard for physical and application integration.

 Inputs to standardization, basics for international standard development.

CIMOSA according to Vernadat (1996), coined the term business process and introduced the process-based

approach for integrated enterprise modeling based on a cross-boundaries approach, which opposed to

traditional function or activity-based approaches. With CIMOSA also the concept of an "Open System Architecture"

(OSA) for CIM was introduced, which was designed to be vendor-independent, and constructed with standardised

CIM modules. Here to the OSA is "described in terms of their function, information, resource, and organizational

aspects. This should be designed with structured engineering methods and made operational in a modular and

evolutionary architecture for operational use".[3]

[edit]Application

There are multiple areas of usage:

 In mechanical engineering

 In electronic design automation (printed circuit board (PCB) and integrated circuitdesign data for

manufacturing)

[edit]See also

 Direct numerical control

 Enterprise integration

 Enterprise resource planning

 Flexible manufacturing system

 Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing

 Manufacturing process management

 Product lifecycle management