CIM

Question 1

What are the objectives of CIM

Answer 1

Simplify:- production processes, product designs and factory organisation as a vital foundation to automation & integration

Automate:- production processes & the business functions that support them with computers, machine & robots.

Integrate:- all production & support processes using computer networks, cross-functional business software, and other information technologies.

Question 2

Concept of CIM

Answer 2

Linking all engineering functions of CAD/CAM together including any of the company’s business functions which support manufacturing.

All production related functions are incorporated in an integrated computer system to assist & automate operation.

• Customer order specification entered in the order entry system.
• Product design using CAD
• Compile the bill of materials, assembly drawings etc.
• Process planning, tool design etc to prepare for production
• Production planning, material requirement planning, scheduling.
• Manufacturing & shipping.

Question 3

Activities of CIM

Answer 3

CAD:-
To support the design engineering function by effective use of a computer to create, modify, analyse & document

• Design productivity
• Quality of design
• Quality of design documentation
• Generation of manufacturing data
• Design standardisation

Question 4

CAM

Answer 4

-To support manufacturing engineering activities by effective use of computer technology.

Indirect support of production for effective planning & management of production activities.

• Process planning - route sheet
• Numerical control part programming
• Machinability data systems
• Work standards
• Cost estimation
• Product & Inventory Planning
• Line balancing

Question 5

CAM (Manufacturing Planning)

Answer 5

• Managing & control the physical operations in a factory:
• Process monitoring
• Quality Control
• Shopfloor control
• Inventory control
• Just in time systems

Question 6

CAP (Computer Aided Process Planning)

Answer 6

Direct link between design & manufacturing

Benefits:

• Process rationalisation & standardisation
• Lead time reduction of process planning
• Improved legibility
• Incorporation of other application programs

Question 7

Subsystems of CIM

Answer 7

Subsystems need to be integrated

• Business planning & support
• Product design
• Manufacturing process planning
• Process automation & control
• Production monitoring system

Question 8

Subsystems and their functions

Answer 8

-Business planning function:
forecasting, scheduling, material requirements, planning, invoicing, accounting.

-Business execution function:
production/process control, material handling, testing of the system.

Question 9

Potential issues of CIM

Answer 9

• Can be costly and difficult to implement
• Requires thorough understanding of the technology & insight to see impact of entire business
• Communication between computers, machines & control systems is crucial and not trivial.
• Requires accurate data on shared-user database product data, operational data, resource data.