Database requirements of CIM

Database requirements of CIM

A major challenge facing the implementation of CIM is to establish the type of data needed to bridge the mechanical design and manufacturing function. Following is the list of varied tasks one might expect to accomplish in a CIM environment.

1.Designing  assemblies and performing tolerance analysis on those assemblies.

2.  Preparing production drawings of assemblies, invidual parts, tooling, fixtures and other manufacturing facilities.

3. Creating analytical models of parts for structural, kinematics and thermal analysis (FEM, MeM etc., )

4.    Calculating weights, volumes, centres of gravity (mass properties) and costs of manufacturing (cost estimation). Classifying existing parts according to shape, function and the process by which they are manufactured and retrieving these pans from the parts library on demand (Group technology and coding).

1.     Preparing parts lists and bill of materials (BOM).

2.     Preparing process plans for individual part manufacture and assembly (Variant or Generative).

3.     Programming CNC machines for processing complete parts (CAM).

4.     Designing work cells and programming the movement of components in those cells using work handling devices like robots, conveyors, AGVS/ RGVs, etc., (Cellular manufacture).

5.     Controlling engineering changes and maintaining associativity between design and manufacturing (concurrent associativity).

6.     Preparing programs to handle components or manipulate production equipment (like welding torches or robots).

7.     Preparing inspection programs including programs for CNC co-ordinate measuring machines {CNC- CMMS}.

The exchange of graphic information has been advanced with increasing acceptance of Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) and STEP.