Currently, the concept of computer integrated production system (CIM) is not new to many Vietnamese businesses. Especially in production plants. Let’s find out about this system in the following article.
What is CIM system?
CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) is an automated production system. This system uses a computer to control all production processes. This integration allows individual processes to exchange information with each other throughout the system.
A factory has applied the CIM system
Example of CIM application mechanic factory
Parts in a mechanical factory
In a mechanical factory, the indispensable stages are design, production planning, processing, inspection and assembly. There is also a warehouse of raw materials, finished products, transporting between each stage, purchase. With the application of CIM system, these stages are automatically controlled by computers. Or the system may operate under the support of a computer.
Application of CIM in each department
Specifically, in the design stage, with the support of design software such as Solidworks, Catia, AutoCAD, … the plant’s employees will build a system of assembly drawings, detailed drawings, processing of every detail, component.
After that, the production based planning will be built automatically. This work is done based on design drawings. The drawing will have the processing sequence, processing time, the amount of material needed. People are only in charge of checking these processes.
This information will be transmitted to warehouse parts, processing machines and transport systems. Next, the production system will be run fully automatically. Embryos from the warehouse are transported to processing machines. The embryo removal and removal will be done by robotic arm system. The processing machines are controlled automatically according to the commands. Specifications follow design and production planning. After the processing, the components are transferred to the precision testing department. Finally, the product is transferred to the finished product warehouse.
Robot arms in factories
It can be seen that the CIM system consists of many small systems combined into a larger system. By exchanging information with the server, they will form a virtual reality information network.
CIM system’s challenges and opportunities
Opportunity
Reduce production time
With the entire operation by computer system, the time spent for designing, planning, exchanging information among parts, transportation will be reduced to a minimum. Since then the production cycle of a product will be reduced, with the same amount of time. At the same time, labor productivity of the whole line will increase.
Reduce errors in production
Automated operation using robotic systems and without human involvement will greatly reduce human error. For example, perform wrong operations, wrong process, wrong parameters, wrong materials, …
Minimize the amount of raw materials and finished goods inventory
The detailed production plan to the minute and the rapid exchange of information between the parts helps to keep the amount of raw materials used to a minimum. This amount will be sufficient for the production process. In addition, the product is completed after being notified to the delivery unit.
Cheap operating cost
Not using people will help reduce costs when operating the entire line.
Challenge
Investment
The first and most obvious challenge of an enterprise when investing in CIM system is capital. Investing an entire CIM line will be much more costly than a traditional line. However, the payback period will be shorter due to cheaper operating costs.
The investment cost for a CIM system application factory is not cheap
Maintenance and repairation
The second challenge in operation is maintenance. With the system is operated entirely by computer. Besides is the support of the robot arms. Therefore, the maintenance staff must have extremely good expertise to ensure that the system operates stably, without incident.
In addition to mechanical engineering, CIM systems are also used in many other industries. For example, food processing, chemicals … In the coming time with the development of technology, CIM systems will be more applied in other production processes.
This article has brought you basic information about CIM computer integrated production system. See you in the next posts.
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