Introduction:

A manufacturing process in which the entire production process is controlled by computers is called Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM). It is a process through which engineering design and study, production, marketing, and other support functions of a manufacturing enterprise are organized in the form of a single mechanism.

Advantages:

- Manufacturing can occur at a faster rate than conventional manufacturing.
- The probability of defect in the product chain is reduced significantly.
- A lot of money can be saved on work force.
- The design of the manufacturing process is flexible and can be customized according to specific needs. To produce a variety of products, the system can be a combination of few or all the computer aided components detailed below;

- It allows for the real time implementation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in manufacturing. Simply put, in a CIM process information is exchanged between two computers. One is the main server through which the commands are set forth. That can be termed as a receiver. The second computer is the controller of the execution machine, for example the micro-controller of an arm robot or that of a CNC Machine.

Area of Application:

CIM has numerous applications in the field of mechanical and manufacturing engineering. It is also vastly used in the design and manufacture of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB’s) and electronic design automation.

Table of Contents:

Following modules will be discussed in this guide.
- Introduction of CIM
- Definitions
- Why companies are implementing CIM
- Origins of CIM
- Few Examples of Integration
- Part of larger revolution in manufacturing industry