Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
The word "computer-integrated manufacturing" is both a method of manufacturing and the name of a computer-automated system where individual marketing, engineering, production, and support functions of a manufacturing enterprise are arranged. In CIM system functional areas like cost accounting, design, analysis, planning, purchasing, inventory control, and distribution are connected via the computer with factory floor functions like materials handling and management, giving direct control and monitoring of all the operations.
Like a method of manufacturing, three components differentiate CIM from other manufacturing methodologies:
- Sources for data storage, retrieval, manipulation and presentation;
- Techniques for sensing state and modifying processes;
- Algorithms that are used for uniting the data processing component along with the sensor/modification component.
CIM is an instance of the implementation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in manufacturing.
CIM explains that there are at least two computers exchanging information, for example the controller of an arm robot and a micro-controller of a CNC machine.
A number of factors involved while considering a CIM implementation are the production volume, the experience of the company / personnel to build the integration, the level of the integration in the product itself and the integration of the production processes. CIM is most helpful where a high level of ICT is employed in the company or facility, like CAD/CAM systems, the availability of process planning and its data.