Computer Applications in Production and Engineering: On the Implementation of Product Model Interfaces in CIME.

This paper address how neutral product model interfaces can be identified, specified, and implemented to provide intelligent and flexible means for information management in manufacturing of discrete mechanical products.The use of advanced computer based systems, such as CAD, CAE, CNC, and robotics, offers a potential for significant cost-savings and quality improvements in manufacturing of discrete mechanical products.However, these systems are introduced into production as 'islands of automation' or 'islands of information', and to benefit from the said potential, the systems must be integrated into an integrated manufacturing unit. Such units are known as Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering (CIME) systems.The basic concept in CIME is to share and reuse information between the different computer based subsystems. Consequently, for the integration purposes, the CIME systems are highly dependent on reliable product model interfaces to bridge the information islands together.The neutral product model interfaces addressed in this paper are used to facilitate an integration strategy know as 'the open systems CIME architecture'. This architecture is basically based upon three different domains; the CA(X) systems are placed in two different domains for design and planning, respectively. A third domain within the CIME architecture comprises the automated equipment on the shop floor.