Answer

CIM wheel

The CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) wheel represents the integration of the major computer-based functions involved in manufacturing. At its centre is the manufacturing information/database and communication system, while engineering, planning, production and business functions are interconnected around it.

A simplified representation is:

Marketing & Sales → Product Design/CAD → Process Planning/CAPP → Production Planning → Scheduling → CNC/Manufacturing → Material Handling & Storage → Inspection/Quality → Feedback

All these functions exchange information through a common computer and communication infrastructure.

Major elements of CIM

1. CAD: Computer-aided product design and engineering analysis.
2. CAPP: Computer-aided process planning and generation of manufacturing instructions.
3. CAM/CNC: Computer-based control and execution of manufacturing operations.
4. Production planning and control: Planning, scheduling, inventory and shop-floor control.
5. Material handling and storage: Automated movement and storage of parts/materials.
6. Robotics/automation: Automatic handling, assembly and processing.
7. Inspection and quality control: Computer-assisted measurement and quality monitoring.
8. Database and communication: Central/shared manufacturing data and communication networks.
9. Business functions: Order processing, purchasing, costing and other enterprise activities.

Benefit: CIM reduces information delays and manual data transfer, improves coordination and enables integrated, flexible and efficient manufacturing.