CIM—still the solution for manufacturing industry

In today's economic environment, enterprises that solely rely on traditional technologies cannot meet dynamic customer demands. Hence, proactive enterprises seek the application of intelligent and integrated manufacturing systems in order to meet the customer's demands and be the winners in the competitive market. Although, with available technologies and systems in Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) and its related technologies, the application of CIM in manufacturing enterprises is a reality and can meet the need of the enterprises; today mangers in many enterprises are confused with varying technologies and new terminologies that prevail in the public domain. To make adoption and implementation issues complicated, there are many researchers pursing similar concepts but in different names to solve part of the issues that are or can be addressed by a CIM system. Therefore, this paper summarises the evolution of manufacturing technologies that are associated with developments towards a CIM system, and reviewed some of the new terminologies and technologies, which were proposed during the last four decades. This review is aimed at overcoming the confusion with the new terminologies that have been generated in the past four decades. Further, this paper articulates that all these new proposals are in deed the sub-system or sub-solutions of CIM. Finally, this article focuses on latest research developments in CIM and provides a stepwise justification methodology towards a CIM system for a small or a medium enterprise.     

HIT－IIS：开放式CIM集成基础结构系统

计算机集成制造系统（ＣＩＭＳ）的集成基础结构作为企业范围的应用软件平台为ＣＩＭ系统提供了一组实现企业信息集成、功能集成所需的基本信息处理和通信公共服务集合。它是ＣＩＭ系统的基础支撑环境。本文提出了一个开放式ＣＩＭ集成基础结构样机系统ＨＩＴ－ＩＩＳ的设计方案，并提出了该系统的实现途径。     

Computer-integrated manufacturing as the basis for the factory of the future

Today, throughout the world, manufacturing is being subjected to major economic and social pressures which can only be satisfied through major advances in manufacturing productivity and quality. Fortunately, there are also strong technological resources emerging today which have the potential to provide such major advances. These resources derive from the technology which is becoming known as computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM). The technology, taken together with today's long-term economic and social pressures, is clearly shaping the factory of the future. In this paper, the nature and potential of CIM is first defined. It is then evaluated by combining the results of a survey of the CIRP Scientific Technical Committee on Optimization members' estimates with information derived both from recent literature and from the author's personal observations of the development of CIM throughout the world. The resulting appraisal reveals that, although implementation of CIM is still in its infancy, even at this early stage tremendous economic benefits are being reaped from implementation of this technology. In addition, its potential for further benefit, both economic and social, is very large indeed.     

MKS: A conceptually centralized knowledge service for distributed CIM environments

The Manufacturing Knowledge System (MKS) uses a uniform representation of manufacturing knowledge, in combination with uniform access to that knowledge in a distributed environment, to provide a comprehensive computational framework for manufacturing. MKS should be viewed as a meta-CIM system, whose goal is to tie together existing CIM systems and other resources of a large manufacturing enterprise, not to duplicate their functionality. At the core of MKS is a conceptually centralized, object-oriented model containing information that is common to many applications. The model is connected to existing CIM systems, to equipment and to databases which supply up-to-date information about the status of engineering and manufacturing processes. Application modules access the CIM data and each other's services using language independent knowledge service protocols that insulate them from details such as where data or services reside, and how they are called. MKS itself is designed to be both scalable and efficient. It has a distributed implementation that allows incremental growth and robust operation in large and dynamic enterprises. Changing information is communicated to application modules that have registered their interests with the model by means of a message based notification mechanism. The focus in this paper is on the system-level features of the current implementation of MKS. Examples from the domain of semiconductor manufacturing are used to illustrate real world applications.     

Internet-based manufacturing: A review and a new infrastructure for distributed intelligent manufacturing

Global competition and rapidly changing customer requirements are forcing major changes in the production styles and configuration of manufacturing enterprises. Traditional centralized manufacturing systems are not able to meet these requirements. In recent years, the internet has become the worldwide information platform for the sharing of information and data. Information processing is an important challenge in an internet-based manufacturing environment, and must facilitate distribution, heterogeneity, autonomy and cooperation. This paper reviews recent trends and major developments in internet-based manufacturing. Broad categories of distributed information management are identified, based upon the development of computer integrated manufacturing, and the possible direction of future research is indicated.     

面向用户构造企业信息系统

本文在对当前企业中信息系统面临的问题进行分析的基础上，提出了面向用户构造企业信息系统的方法，即全面考察实际系统中对象的整个生命周期过程和对象间的内在联系，使设计出的应用系统可由最终用户自行调整，以适应实际系统的信息需求的变化。论文提出了面向用户的企业信息系统的软件结构，最后简要介绍了采用面向用户方法进行开发的实例。     

A PDES/STEP-based information model for computer-aided process planning

Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) constitutes one of the most essential elements in Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). Although many CAPP systems have been reported in literature during the last two decades, few of them are compatible enough to integrate easily with other systems in the CIM environment. One major reason is the lack of an effective method to represent the information required by CAPP, and to unify such information with the information of other systems in the CIM environment. Indeed, this problem has received relatively inadequate attention in the recent research of CAPP systems. In this paper, an information model for CAPP is developed by using the object-oriented modeling and the Product Data Exchange Step/STandard of Exchange Product data (PDES/STEP) techniques. The model consists of the part information model, the process plan information model, and the production resource information model. The EXPRESS language or the EXPRESS-G diagram is used to represent these models. Indeed, the proposed information model will greatly improve the CAPP system's capability of effective integration with other systems in the CIM environment, and, ultimately, to facilitate the implementation of the whole CIM strategy in manufacturing enterprises.     

An expanded SEMATECH CIM framework for heterogeneous applications integration

A significant effort in recent computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) development was carried out by SEMATECH who had laid out and created an open framework for the integration of manufacturing execution system applications running in semiconductor industries at the factory operation level. This paper presents the feasibility to incorporate basic manufacturing applications at the factory engineering level, which include product design, process planning, and material requirement planning, into the SEMATECH CIM framework to form a generic framework across both factory operation level and factory engineering level. The CIM framework established in this paper was aimed to provide a reusable integrated system framework that clearly specifies the functional interface boundaries and standard information model of the required components, in general, manufacturing systems at both factory operation and factory engineering levels. Standard unified modeling language (UML) diagrams and Petri nets have been utilized to model and analyze the specifications and dynamic behaviors of this generic CIM framework. The goal is to build a framework by creating a common, modular, flexible, and integrated object model that unifies an advanced object-oriented architecture concept and heterogeneous manufacturing application development in an open and multisupplier CIM system environment.     

Applying CIM technology to image factories

Image processing allows the automation of the business transaction, turning “paper factories” into “image factories.” This burgeoning new area of computerization needs new paradigms, theories, and methods to maximize its effectiveness at cutting time and costs. This paper investigates what this new area of computerization can gain from CIM technology. It examines the similarities between the processing of computer images in a paperless business environment and the processing of materials into products in the manufacturing plant. These similarities will allow us to apply mature, well-tested CIM techniques to emerging image factories.     

An expert system framework for a CIM based quality inspection system

With today's competitive marketplace moving toward a goal of lean, error free manufacturing a need for technological change in quality decision making has arisen. One approach to this new “quality” standard involves tying quality analysis to the theory of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). In this paper a model of such a system is presented including the application of an expert system to enhance dimensional tolerancing and data analysis in quality control. Our expert system will also serve a dual role as a technological link to a CIM environment through the use of IGES computer aided design data.     

An application of enterprise systems in quality management of products

Safety is arguably the primary concern for consumer products. Popular quality management methods such as Total Quality Management provide enterprises with the vital tools to ensure the expected product quality in production. However, the safety of a consumer product also rely on numerous factors involved in its life cycle, and some of which are difficult to control. It is challenging to acquire and integrate the information from all of the sources involved in the supply chain to assess the risk level of a product. A few of information systems have been reported for product risk management in the developed countries and regions such as Japan and Europe; however, those systems are not universally applicable, in particular in developing countries, since the safety standards as well as other important factors involved in the deployment of products vary from country to country. The use of enterprise systems (ES) has become increasingly popular in both manufacturing and service industries. An ES, especially its QMS (Quality Management System), can be a promising solution to this problem. This paper discusses the application of QMS in ES and presents an application in risk assessment of consumer products.     

INTELLIGENT COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING (I-CIM): Research Perspectives

Abstract

Manufacturing automation has progressed through various stages from simple data transfer to the intelligence-intensive systems. The future of CIM relies heavily on intelligence-intensive systems because manufacturing is no longer confined to one local site and manufacturing systems have become complex because of their global nature. In this article, the authors study the future manufacturing environment as a collaborative effort. The essential characteristics-the requirements for integration from a process and communication perspective-are identified as are steps in the process requiring further study. Finally, Intelligent-Computer Integrated Manufacturing (I-CIM) scenarios are presented for specific problems.     

Strategies for planning and implementation of flexible fixturing systems in a computer integrated manufacturing environment

In general, for any manufacturing operation to be successful, parts must be located and held to remain in position and orientation when subjected to external forces during the manufacturing operations. The traditional approach to fixturing involves designing and manufacturing special-purpose fixtures. These fixtures are generally dedicated devices designed and manufactured for specific parts and manufacturing operations. Flexible fixturing technology involves employing a single fixturing system to hold workpieces of various shapes and sizes. Such systems have reached the embryonic stage of implementation into manufacturing environment. Therefore the integration of current and future flexible fixturing systems into the manufacturing processes becomes an important issue for future work in computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment.

The approach to CIM is dependent on the functional model of the company. Therefore, the implementation of any sub-systems within it must be studied on an individual basis. However, in order to plan and implement new technologies, such as flexible fixturing systems, within CIM environment, certain requirements must be met and guidelines must be followed. The strategies for planning and implementation of flexible fixturing systems within the larger frame work of CIM environment are presented. Some guidelines for designing and developing the interconnection of the data bases are also discussed.     

Object-oriented intelligent computer-integrated design, processplanning, and inspection

The methodology for developing intelligent integrated computer-aided design and manufacturing systems based on object-oriented principles is discussed. The ways in which the application of these principles affects the nature of these systems are reviewed. The implementation of an automated, intelligent, and flexible computer-integrated-manufacturing (CIM) system prototype using an object-oriented programming environment (Smalltalk-80, Version 4.0) is detailed. A CIM system includes CAD, a process planner, and an inspection planner. Each of these components is discussed individually     

大数据时代的思维特点研究

近年来,“大数据”已经成为科技界和企业界关注的热点,所谓big data(大数据),是指靠专有平台实现价值提炼以帮助使用者决策分析的海量数据集产品。目前,拥有数据的规模大小和运用数据的能力将成为一个国家综合国力的重要组成,一个国家对数据的占有、控制将成为国家间和企业间新的争夺焦点。重点研究分析了大数据的5个特性,指出了企业的经济效益是推动大数据发展的主要动力,当前的大数据处理技术使人们从事的工作变得更加智能。通过对大数据时代的思维特点及思维方式进行研究,可以得出大数据时代最大的转变就是研究方式将进入数据密集型科学的范围中进行。     

Developments towards CIM by a machine tool builder

Progress in the field of micro-electronics essentially determines the development in the field of production techniques. The increased application computer techniques in company departments has increased efficiency. These developments are part of the trend towards Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), which is established by interconnecting technical information through a computer-aided system. This paper discusses the development of a machine tool builder integrating into a CIM system. The reliability of these products has been confirmed in practical application.     

Application of outranking methods to economic and financial justificaton of CIM systems

Traditional economic evaluation methods concentrate on maximizing or minimizing a single objective such as net present value and pay back period. In the last decade, there has been an increased awareness of the need to consider multiple attributes in the evaluation of advanced manufacturing systems. Various methods have recently been developed for the evaluation of CIM systems. This paper discusses multiattribute methods for justification of CIM systems and outranking methods including ELECTRE, ORESTE, and PROMETHEE.     

企业电子商务应用模式的研究

电子商务已成为当今IT行业最为热门的话题和竞争的焦点,如何扎扎实实地推进我国企业的电子商务应用,迎接我国进入WTO后给企业带来的机遇与挑战,是当今企业面临的重大课题。文章分析了我国电子商务应用的现状,阐述了电子商务与企业信息化的关系,提出了企业电子商务应用模式。     

Integrated decision support and expert systems in a computer integrated manufacturing environment

In a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment, well planning, control and operational process require both expert knowledge of the area, and powerful decision support capabilities. This paper discusses the features of decision support systems and expert systems, and their integration to support the major functions from marketing and strategic level considerations to manufacturing operational planning and process. From the hierarchical structure of information flow in a company, this paper attempts to find the best way of combining decision support systems with expert systems in enhancing the planning, control and operational functions in a CIM environment.     

发达国家中小企业政策性融资机制优劣比较与启示

当前，政策性融资已成为各国政府对中小企业进行资金支持的有力工具，但由于各国的经济体制和法律制度等社会环境及历史原因，使其中小企业政策性融资机制存在差异性，并直接影响对中小企业金融支持的效果。本文通过比较分析发达国家中小企业政策性融资机制优劣，探讨如何构建适合中国国情的中小企业政策性融资机制。