Computer Integrated Manufactring (CIM)

Cell
Syed Raza Muhammad Shah, Ahmed Raza Mahmood, Ihtasham Ul Hassan, Muhammad Waqar Nawaz
Mechatronics & Control Engineering Department
University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore
Faisalabad, Pakistan
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected]

Abstract— In this advanced and digital era where people industries. Basically, CIM cell is an access to use
are always looking for explicit and quick fixes, industries computer integrated with automation plant. In these
are turning their faces toward computerized machines kinds of integration, the information is exchanged
and binary integration techniques to fulfill that urge in between processes so they can initiate next actions.
manufacturing area. The technique under consideration Through this kind of integration, we can create a faster
is broadly referred as COMPUTER INTEGRATED and error-less automation manufacturing system.[2]
MANUFACTURING (CIM). In CIM we plan, integrate Usually, CIM is based on closed-loop control process.
and implement automation for greater good. This CIM The history of CIM begun in the last part of the 1980s
project is a real life integration of CNC mill machine, when industries want to advance the manufacturing
Pneumatic Robotic arm, Conveyor belt, Part feeder and method by introducing more computerized systems in
the optic sensor through PLC. Optic sensor gives signal the manufacturing field. This idea of digital
to the robotic arm on the detection of part in part feeder manufacturing was sponsored by machine tool
tray then PLC dictates arm to pick and place the piece manufacturers, Computer and Automated System
under CNC mill, CNC machine performs functions on a Association (CASA) and Society of Manufacturing
piece according to given program and after completion Engineers (SME).To improve and increase the
the robotic arm once again pick and place but this time productivity the invention of CIM has been widely used
from CNC mill to conveyor belt, hence completing the in engineering sectors such as automotive industries,
task. The purpose of this project is to make this CIM electronic component industries and many more.
Cell functional for the Automation lab of Mechatronics A usual manufacturing plant may have many software
and Control Engineering so students perform different systems. But CIM system mostly used computer-aided
experiments on this cell to develop and sharpen their design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing
skills for the practical and automated industrial world. (CAM).[3]
Keywords—CIM, Part Feeder, CNC, Optic Sensor, Conveyor CIM suggests that there are minimum of two computers
Belt, Robotic Arm. switching information, for example, the controller of an
arm robot and the micro-controller of a CNC machine
I. INTRODUCTION like in our system. Few factors that tends to perform the
Nowadays, the main problem in manufacturing is the CIM operation are the production volume and
increase in the complexity of the product design and these involvement of the company.[4]
changes occur more rapidly than before. And these changes Simply, Computer-integrated manufacturing system
occur not in product design but also in product life, the (CIM) is formed by many manufacturing functions and
increase in competition between different enterprises. So then those functions are joined together through an
due to this reason human is not able to satisfy and fulfill integrated network. The basic purpose of a computer
people requirements according to their demands. Different integrated manufacturing (CIM) cell is to allow
industries had been used different methods to minimize alterations to be made in the product design, due to this
these things but they weren’t able to fulfill demands the cost of correction can be reduced and increase the
according to their requirement. So keeping all these things production rate. [5]
in mind different researchers, authors and practitioners have A. Problem Statement
suggested that Computer integrated manufacturing will Basically, this CIM system is not in working condition
improve product quality, reduces the error, make the system yet. Firstly the whole system is not integrated with the
faster and increases productivity. CIM system includes all PLC yet and the robotic arm, CNC and conveyor belt is
the useful areas of a manufacturing organization. CIM also not fully functional. Some parts are also damaged
consists of Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer which are needed to be replace with new ones. We have
Aided process planning (CAPP), Production Planning and been instructed troubleshoot the whole system and
Control (PPC) and others. [1] make it completely functional as our Final year project
Computer integrated manufacturing cell which is (FYP).
also known as CIM cell is commonly used in many B. Objective
 1. To study the CIM’s working principle Flow Chart:
2. Integrate PLC with CNC, Conveyor belt,
sensors, and robotic arm.

II. METHODOLOGY
We divided the methodology of automatic manufacturing
process in three phases.
Phase I:
Phase I is detection phase. Different methods are used to
detect the piece. But we are using Photo-electric sensor to
detect the piece. Photo-electric sensor has two modes light
and dark mode. We are using dark mode of photo-electric
sensor which Means, when part comes at the top of the
sensor it gives zero signal to valve when there is no piece on
sensor it gives one to valve which actuate the prismatic
motion of pneumatic cylinder when comes at the top of the
sensor it gives signal to the PLC also for further process.
Phase II:
Phase II is actuation phase. In this phase when sensor gives
signal to the PLC then PLC actuate the pneumatic control
robotic arm according to the given program. Robotic arm
pick the piece from part feeder and take 180-revolution
place the piece on the bed of CNC machine.
Phase III:
This phase is milling phase. In this phase when robotic arm
place the piece on the bed of CNC then we actuate the CNC
through Computer using Arduino IDE. CNC perform
function according to given instruction. Different CNC
machines have different mechanism but we are using lead
screw mechanism in our CNC machine.
After CNC complete its operation it again actuate the
Robotic arm which again pick the piece from the bed of the
CNC and place it on the conveyor belt and when piece touch
the limit switch conveyor belt stop and numbering machine
put number on part piece and operation is completed and at
the end you have to collect the piece manually.

Block Diagram:
Figure 1. 2 Flow Chart

III. COMPONENTS

1. CM-171M MILLING CENTRE

This CM-171M mini cell we are using is an extremely
compatible with PC. This CNC machine or CM-171M uses
Arduino IDE program. We are using Arduino IDE software
for this CM-171M system to send signal to mill power
supply to perform different functions. Mill power supply
consists on CNC driver (TB6560) circuits and power
supply.

Figure 1. 1 Block Diagram

 Figure 1. 5 CM-145M-Pneumatic parts feeder

4. MB650ML-Principles of Programmable Logic

Controllers
Basically, MB-650ML is a PLC training system which
consists of Allen Bradley PLC and Ports which we can use
other than this system. We uses RSLogix500 to program
Figure 1. 3 CM-171M different parts using PLC. Using this we can easily connect
and troubleshoot the system.
2. B901-Pneumatic Control Robotic Arm
This B901has 4 axis. So we can also called 4-axis robotic
arm which has 5 degrees of freedom. We are using Allen
Bradley PLC to perform functions on Robotic arm. We set
program according to our requirement and perform the
given function or task.

Figure 1. 6 MB650ML- Principles of Programmable

Logic Controllers

5. MB600-Principle of Industrial Sensors

MB600 gives us the comprehensive knowledge about the
sensing devices. Like we are using Photo-electric Sensor to
detect the parts at the end of parts feeder to actuate the
robotic arm.

Figure 1. 4 B901-Pneumatic Control Robotic Arm

3. CM-145M-Pneumatic parts feeder with sensor.

Different sensor is used to detect the part but we are using
photo-electric sensor in parts feeder to detect the part. The
part we are using is 2 inch wide and 3 inch long. We can
vary according to our requirement and adjust the part
according to the part size. So parts feeder is adjustable
according to the requirement.

Figure 1. 7 MB600-Principle of Industrial Sensors

6. Conveyor belt
Conveyor belt is used to carry the part from place to place.
So the purpose of the conveyor is same in our system as it
carries the part to the final position.
 in their developing mode largely depend upon labor, causing
poor quality control and more consumption of time.
However, to overcome these problems the simple and most
reliable solution is Computer integrated Manufacturing
(CIM) technique. By using this technology industries can
provide a quality product to their costumer in time.
So this system (CIM Cell) represents how two different
microcontrollers (PLC and Arduino) serially communicate
with each other to provide complete automation. The
process begins with part feeder sending signal to PLC when
it detects workpiece thus PLC in return causes Pneumatic
Robotic Arm to collect the part and place it on the CNC
machine Pneumatic operating bed. CNC performs milling
according to the Arduino commands and then Robotic Arm
again pick the workpiece and place it on the conveyor belt.
At the end of conveyor belt stamp punches on the
workpiece, completing the one cycle.

Figure 1. 8 Conveyor Belt

IV. RESULTS REFERENCES
There are four different processes working together to make 1. Al-Ahmari, Hussain Iftikhar and Abdulrahman M.
this CIM Cell system to run effectively. Every system has "PLANNING AND DESIGN OF COMPUTER
its own output and results. All these processes combine to INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
form the final results. USING AN EXPERT SYSTEM." The 6th Saudi
In CM-145M Pneumatic Parts dispenser process, the result Engineering Conference. Ed. Hussain Iftikhar Al-
is to provide the unprocessed workpiece on the top of the Ahmari and Abdulrahman M. Dhahran: KFUPM,
fiber optic sensor. 2002. 521-524.
The result of B901 Pneumatic Robotic Arm process is to
place the unprocessed workpiece on CM-171M Minitech 2. A. K. Mohamed, "Automation and Computer
CNC Mill Pneumatic vise (CNC bed) and to place processed Integrated," Dublin City University, Dublin, 2003.
workpiece on Conveyor Belt. 3. ABDULLAH, MOHAMAD ZULHILMI BIN.
The results of CM-171M Minitech CNC Mill process is to COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING
perform milling on unprocessed workpiece. (CIM) – DEVELOPMENT OF MONITORING
Conveyor Belt take the processed workpiece on final SYSTEM . Melaka: FACULTY OF
position and punch the number on workpiece. MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING , 2011.
Integration of these processes satisfy the idea of automation
and that is how an un processed workpiece, gets processed 4. DAHLAN, FITSHAHMUDDIN BIN.
and reaches at its final position at the end of conveyor Belt DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER
and the number is placed on the workpiece. We can use each INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING (CIM).
process separately. But our purpose is to combine all these Bachelor thesis. Pahang: Universiti Malaysia
process to perform a specific function. Pahang , 2007. Document.
This is a completely automated system in which all four 5. G. C. L. Sev V. Nagalingam, "CIM—still the
processes take part and work together. We are operating this solution for manufacturing industry," Mawson
whole with the help of controllers. Lakes Boulevard, Elsevier Ltd, 2008.
6. M. Sadegh Amalnik, “Design of Computer
Integrated Manufacturing System for Irankhodro
V. CONCLUSION Auto Industry,” J. Mod. Process. Manuf. Prod.,
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limited time and to enhance the quality of products,
automation is playing a crucial role in manufacturing
industries these days. But countries like Pakistan which are