ERAU - Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Research Project

This research report provides a comprehensive overview of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), defined as the integration of the entire manufacturing enterprise through data communications and advanced manufacturing approaches. It discusses the purpose of CIM, which is to enhance organizational and personnel performance through a production system consisting of NC machines, programmed materials handling, and computer control. The report outlines the four key responsibilities of CIM: planning, control, material flow, and the manufacturing process, and also details various sub-systems like CAD, CAM, CAQA, CNC, and ERP. Furthermore, the interaction among CAD, CAPP, and CAM is explained. The report concludes that CIM is a vital application of Information and Communication Technologies in manufacturing, improving quality and productivity by efficiently controlling product design, manufacturing, and marketing.

Running head: RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMISSION 4
8.4 Research Project Submission 4 : Final Submission (PLG1)
Prem Raj Manoahaar
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) can be defined as the utilization of data
communications with a new managerial concept by integrating the entire manufacturing
enterprise through an advanced manufacturing approach from design to end user with the help of
computer devices. The concept of CIM was introduced in 1973 (Esmaeilian, Behdad & Wang,
2016). This paper provides a thorough discussion of CIM on the basis of extensive research and
study of the concept.
The purpose of CIM is to provide efficient organizational and personnel performance. It
is a production system that consists of many numeric control (NC) machines. These machines
are connected with a programmed materials handling system and controlled by computers (Faria
& Van, 2013). CIM is incorporated with four steps of responsibilities which are-
i. Planning which controls planning and scheduling of the procedure
ii. Control refers the management of materials and manufacturing process
iii. Material flow accomplishes the task of material handling (Faria & Van, 2013)
iv. Manufacturing process which deals with technologies, equipment, and labor.
The entire work-flow is represented in a diagram (Figure 1) which is shown in the Appendix.
CIM offers enhanced implementation in the machines’ performance with reduced man-power
and manufacturing time, providing minimized process inventory and affable scheduling.
The progression of the CIM process varies from production system to manufacturing
system. In manufacturing system (shown in Figure 2 in Appendix), there are three components-
special manufacturing system, flexible manufacturing system, and manufacturing cell. This
special system produces other components. Flexible manufacturing system processes various

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parts from part number 4 to 100. The manufacturing cell constructs the minimum number of
parts with part numbers 40 to 80, despite of having maximum flexibility. On the other hand, the
production system (represented in Figure 3 in the Appendix) consists of transfer lines that
produce efficient similar parts at a large mass. Another component is stand-alone NC machine
which brings variation in the configured work parts (Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Chapter2 - CIM-introduction, 2018).
The CIM technology has the efficiency to control the entire manufacturing process by
achieving the process accomplishments from its several sub-systems like Computer-Aided
Design (CAD) which involves designing the product models, Computer Aided Manufacturing
(CAM) which controls machine tools using software programmes, Computer Aided Quality
Assurance (CAQA) which includes the software application for product quality inspection,
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) which is an equipment in CIM and it works on several
software programmes to perform complicated and critical functionalities, Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) which integrates finance, management, sales and services (Pedagopu & Kumar,
2014). The engineering drawings, materials listing and the overall project planning are included
under CAPP. CAPP mainly links the CAD and CAM. CAPP also optimizes manufacturing cost
and time variables, process selection, and production routes (Faria & Van, 2013). The interaction
among CAD, CAPP, and CAM is represented (Figure 4) in the Appendix.
From the above study, it can be concluded that CIM is an instance of the application of
the Information and Communication Technologies in manufacturing process through integration
of manufacturing enterprise. It plays a vital role in exchanging real-time information and
improving quality and productivity by efficiently controlling product design, manufacturing, and
marketing with the help of all its sub-systems.

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References
Esmaeilian, B., Behdad, S., & Wang, B. (2016). The evolution and future of manufacturing: A
review. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 39, 79-100.
Faria, L., & Van Puymbroeck, W. (Eds.). (2013). Computer Integrated Manufacturing:
Proceedings of the Sixth CIM-Europe Annual Conference 15–17 May 1990 Lisbon,
Portugal. Springer Science & Business Media.
http://www.me.nchu.edu.tw/lab/CIM/www/courses/Computer%20Integrated
%20Manufacturing/Chapter2%20-CIM-introduction.pdf
Pedagopu, V. M., & Kumar, M. (2014). Integration of CAD/CAPP/CAM/CNC to augment the
efficiency of CIM. Int. Rev. Appl. Eng. Res., 4(2), 171-176.

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Appendix
Figure 1: Four-Plan concept of manufacturing process
Source: (Computer Integrated Manufacturing Chapter2 - CIM-introduction, 2018)
Figure 2: CIM in manufacturing systems

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Source: (Computer Integrated Manufacturing Chapter2 - CIM-introduction, 2018)
Figure 3: CIM in production systems
Source: (Computer Integrated Manufacturing Chapter2 - CIM-introduction, 2018)
Figure 4: Interaction among CAD, CAPP, and CAM
Source: (Pedagopu & Kumar, 2014)