FAQs: CIM Systems and Software
What is CIM?
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) is the integration, through computers, of design, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and distribution, customers and suppliers, sales and marketing activities, financial management, and the overall control of an enterprise.
Over the past two decades, hundreds of manufacturing companies worldwide have introduced CIM technologies into their organizations. The resulting benefits - reduced manufacturing costs, increased productivity, improved product quality, greater flexibility and faster response time to customer needs - have increased these companies' competitive advantages.
What is OpenCIM? What is CIMflex?
OpenCIM is a software package. ER-OpenCIM is a CIM training system based on the OpenCIM software.
Today Intelitek markets its CIM systems under the name CIMflex.
Intelitek’s CIM systems comprise industrial quality equipment that allow students to have hands-on experience with real-life industrial applications within a laboratory environment.
A CIM system includes a number of control systems that are interfaced to provide both individual control of work stations and overall control of the systems. Moreover, the OpenCIM Windows-based software provides numerous CIM capabilities: CIM cell and station management; part, order and machine definition; inventory control and tracking; MRP; report generation and production scheduling.
OpenCIM software also includes a 3D solid model whose dynamic display provides online tracking of the manufacturing process and off-line simulation of the CIM process. Students can therefore verify and test the complete production process off-line or in a dry run before executing an actual production run.
In addition, a virtual CIM setup module allows students to design and configure both real and simulated CIM cells. This allows students to experiment with CIM configurations other than those actually available in their school’s lab.
OpenCIM provides a realistic, expandable environment through interfaces to third party hardware (e.g. CNC machines, robots, peripheral equipment, etc.). Students can learn first-hand how methods such as CAD/CAM, materials requirement planning (MRP) and product database management (PDM) can be used to optimize production processes.
What are the required components in a CIMflex system?
The basic CIMflex system includes:
- an automatic storage and retrieval system (ASRS)
- at least one automated workstation (e.g., FMS or assembly)
- a closed-loop pallet conveyor
- a central management control station
- TCP/IP based communication network (LAN, WAN or Internet)
What is CIM ACL?
CIM ACL is an earlier version of Intelitek’s CIM training system. CIM ACL was a DOS-based system in which system management and information were handled on a controller level rather than a network level.
Can we upgrade our CIM ACL System?
Yes, you can. We have performed many upgrades and given new life to old systems. Customers are extremely pleased to learn that hardware already in their labs can be put to use in a new and advanced CIMflex system. Contact us with details about your existing system so that we can determine what is needed for the upgrade.
What kind of system do we have?
There are several ways to determine what kind of system you have.
It's CIM ACL if:
- All the software screens are DOS.
- The door of the conveyor’s PLC cabinet is not transparent.
- The system has one or more Baytech serial switching units.
- Pictorial example of how to recognize a CIM ACL system:
- PLC unit cover is not transparent (green box)
- Software screens are MS-DOS (red box)
- Baytech switcher unit in use (blue box)
It's ER-OpenCIM or CIMflex if:
- All the software screens are Windows.
- The door of the conveyor’s PLC cabinet is transparent.
- Within the PLC cabinet there are cables with 15-pin connector cables (one for each conveyor station) and a serial cable that leads to a computer
- The robot controllers are connected serially to computers.
What is the current software version?
Refer to software versions and PC requirements section
Please explain software licensing and copy protection.
Software protection in OpenCIM versions 1.52 through 2.1 is provided by a license diskette. The "license" is for as many installations that the original diskette was equipped with. Software is normally supplied with a single license or in multiples of ten. The installation of the protection can only be done from the original diskette. Removing the software must be done using uninstall in order to retrieve the license into the original diskette. (Removing the software directories by other means than uninstall would cause a loss of the license.) The same license can be used on the same or a different computer.
The software protection diskette contains an application called WINSDEI.EXE. When you execute this file a dialog box opens with the following options:
- Check: Checks how many licenses are available on the diskette.
- Install: Installs a license on the hard disk specified.
- Remove: Removes the license from the hard disk.
Software protection in OpenCIM versions 2.2 and higher is provided by a web-based license. The software license diskette is no longer required.
The web-based licensing procedure requires three steps:
- Install the software from the CD.
- Send the CD key and the PC-specific code to Intelitek.
- Upon receipt of the unlock code, enter it in the Registration dialog box.
For more information, see Software Licenses
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