Mumbai University > Mechanical Engineering > Sem 7 > CAD/CAM/CAE

Marks: 10 M

Year: Dec 2013

CIM Hardware comprises the following:

Manufacturing equipments:

• Workstations
• Cells
• DNC
• FMS
• Work, tool handling & storage devices
• Sensors
• SFC data collection devices

1.Computer related hardwares:

• Computers, controllers, printers, plotters, Modems, Cables, Connectors,
• Workstation terminals
• CAD/CAM systems.

2.Office equipment

3.Communication hardware

• Remote batch terminals, Front end processors,
• Transmitters, Acoustic couplers,

• Multiplexers, Concentrators

  i) Manufacturing equipment such as CNC machines or computerized work centers, robotic work cells, DNC/FMS systems, work handling and tool handling devices, storage devices, sensors, shop floor data collection devices, inspection machines etc.

  ii) Computers, controllers, CAD/CAM systems, workstations / terminals, data entry terminals, bar code readers, RFID tags, printers, plotters and other peripheral devices, modems, cables, connectors etc.,

Several computer platforms can be used for running the software packages for computer integrated manufacturing. Figure below shows a typical computer hardware configuration. Usually a powerful server computer and a number of client nodes will be used. The server will be usually a high performance computer, configured to meet the specific operational requirements. The nodes may be a personal computer (PC) or a graphics workstation. The heart of any computer is a microprocessor, which is designed on the basis of the length of the word it can handle. Thus, we have 16 bit, 32 bit and 64 bit microprocessors. The microprocessor carries out arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction. They also carry out logic operations and alter the sequence in which instructions are carried out depending upon the statements contained in the program. The server stores data and the programs (operating system and application programs) in a part of its primary memory. The remaining part of this memory acts as the working storage and buffer storage for input and output. The contents of this memory are lost when the power is switched off and therefore it is called volatile memory. This memory is called Random Access Memory (RAM) or read-write Memory. Another type of primary memory is the Read Only Memory (ROM) in which some programs stay resident. These programs are permanently stored by the computer manufacturer. The Basic Input/output System (BIOS) is usually stored in ROM. The nodes may also have adequate memory and processing capabilities depending on the application requirements.