Term Paper

Management Support Systems

TERM PAPER OF
CSE303 MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS

TOPIC

: Online Automation Systems

SUBMITTED TO:
Miss. Neha Kapoor

SUBMITTED BY:
Prabhat Kumar RJK901B42

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Management Support Systems

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

With due honor, I want to thank all the personalities who make me able to do this interesting work. First of all I would like to thank LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY for giving me opportunity to carry out this term paper at their esteemed institution.

I am grateful to my honorable faculty who provided all the facilities. I acknowledge the earlier suggestions given to me by Miss Neha Kapoor (Mam).

Prabhat Kumar

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Management Support Systems

Contents
1. Introduction of Automation 2. Advantages 3. Disadvantages List of automation Protocols Applications Reliability and Precision Automation Tools Automation Tools Explaintion Lists of Network Protocols Types of automation

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Introduction of Automation
Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization. Whereas mechanization provided human operators with machinery to assist them with the muscular requirements of work, automation greatly decreases the need for human sensory and mental requirements as well. Automation plays an increasingly important role in the world economy and in daily experience. Automation has had a notable impact in a wide range of industries beyond manufacturing (where it began). Once-ubiquitous telephone operators have been replaced largely by automated telephone switchboards and answering machines. Medical processes such as primary screening in electrocardiography or radiography and laboratory analysis of human genes, sera, cells, and tissues are carried out at much greater speed and accuracy by automated systems. Automated teller machines have reduced the need for bank visits to obtain cash and carry out transactions. In general, automation has been responsible for the shift in the world economy from industrial jobs to service jobs in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Advantages

Replacing human operators in tasks that involve hard physical or monotonous work. Replacing humans in tasks done in dangerous environments (i.e. fire, space, volcanoes, nuclear facilities, underwater, etc.) Performing tasks that are beyond human capabilities of size, weight, speed, endurance, etc. Economy improvement: Automation may improve in economy of enterprises, society or most of humanity. For example, when an enterprise invests in automation, technology recovers its investment; or when a state or country increases its income due to automation like Germany or Japan in the 20th Century. Reduces operation time and work handling time significantly. Frees up workers to take on other roles. Provides higher level jobs in the development, deployment, maintenance and running of the automated processes.

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Disadvantages
Security Threats/Vulnerability: An automated system may have a limited level of intelligence, and is therefore more susceptible to committing an error. Unpredictable development costs: The research and development cost of automating a process may exceed the cost saved by the automation itself. High initial cost: The automation of a new product or plant requires a huge initial investment in comparison with the unit cost of the product, although the cost of automation is spread among many products. In manufacturing, the purpose of automation has shifted to issues broader than productivity, cost, and time.

List of automation protocols

This includes list of communication network protocols used for process or industrial automation, building automation, substation automation, automatic meter reading and vehicle automation applications

Process automation protocols

DF-1 BSAP - Bristol Standard Asynchronous Protocol, developed by Bristol Babcock Inc. CC-Link Industrial Networks - Supported by the CLPA CIP (Common Industrial Protocol) - Can be treated as application layer common to DeviceNet, CompoNet, ControlNet and EtherNet/IP Controller Area Network utilised in many network implementations, including CANopen and DeviceNet ControlNet - an implementation of CIP, originally by Allen-Bradley DeviceNet - an implementation of CIP, originally by Allen-Bradley DirectNet - Koyo / Automation Direct proprietary, yet documented PLC interface EtherCAT Ethernet Global Data (EGD) - GE Fanuc PLCs (see also SRTP) Ethernet Powerlink - an open protocol managed by the Ethernet POWERLINK Standardization Group (EPSG). EtherNet/IP - IP stands for "Industrial Protocol". An implementation of CIP, originally created by Rockwell Automation

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FINS, Omron's protocol for communication over several networks, including ethernet. FOUNDATION fieldbus - H1 & HSE HART Protocol HostLink Protocol, Omron's protocol for communication over serial links. Interbus, Phoenix Contact's protocol for communication over serial links, now part of PROFINET IO MECHATROLINK - open protocol originally developed by Yaskawa. MelsecNet, supported by Mitsubishi Electric. Modbus PEMEX Modbus Plus Modbus RTU or ASCII or TCP Optomux - Serial (RS-422/485) network protocol originally developed by Opto 22 in 1982. The protocol was openly documented and over time used for industrial automation applications. PieP - An Open Fieldbus Protocol Profibus - by PROFIBUS International. PROFINET IO RAPIEnet - Real-time Automation Protocols for Industrial Ethernet Honeywell SDS - Smart Distributed System - Originally developed by Honeywell. Currently supported by Holjeron. SERCOS III, Ethernet-based version of SERCOS real-time interface standard SERCOS interface, Open Protocol for hard real-time control of motion and I/O GE SRTP - GE Fanuc PLCs Sinec H1 - Siemens SynqNet - Danaher TTEthernet - TTTech

Industrial control system protocols

MTConnect OPC OPC UA

Building automation protocols

1-Wire - from Dallas/Maxim BACnet - for building automation, designed by committee ASHRAE. S-Bus C-Bus CC-Link Industrial Networks, supported by Mitsubishi Electric DALI DSI

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Dynet Konnex (KNX) - previously AHB/EIB LonTalk - protocol for LonWorks technology by Echelon Corporation Modbus RTU or ASCII or TCP oBIX xAP - Open protocol ZigBee - Open protocol

Power system automation protocols

IEC 61850 IEC 60870-5 DNP3 - Distributed Network Protocol Modbus Profibus IEC 62351 - Security for IEC 60870, 61850, DNP3 & ICCP protocols

Automatic meter reading protocols

DLMS/IEC 62056 ANSI C12.18 IEC 61107 Modbus M-Bus ZigBee Smart Energy 2.0

Automobile / Vehicle protocol buses

Local Interconnect Network (LIN) - a very low cost in-vehicle sub-network Controller Area Network (CAN) - an inexpensive low-speed serial bus for interconnecting automotive components J1939 and ISO11783 - an adaptation of CAN for agricultural and commercial vehicles FlexRay - a general purpose high-speed protocol with safety-critical features Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) - a high-speed multimedia interface Keyword Protocol 2000 (KWP2000) - a protocol for automotive diagnostic devices (runs either on a serial line or over CAN) Vehicle Area Network (VAN) DC-BUS [1] - Automotive power-line communication multiplexed network IDB-1394 SMARTwireX J1708 - RS-485 based SAE specification used in commercial vehicles, agriculture, and heavy equipment.

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Applications
Automated video surveillance
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) started the research and development of automated visual surveillance and monitoring (VSAM) program, between 1997 and 1999, and airborne video surveillance (AVS) programs, from 1998 to 2002. Currently, there is a major effort underway in the vision community to develop a fully automated tracking surveillance system. Automated video surveillance monitors people and vehicle in real time within a busy environment. Existing automated surveillance systems are based on the environment they are primarily designed to observe, i.e., indoor, outdoor or airborne, the amount of sensors that the automated system can handle and the mobility of sensor, i.e., stationary camera vs. mobile camera. The purpose of a surveillance system is to record properties and trajectories of objects in a given area, generate warnings or notify designated authority in case of occurrence of particular events

Automated highway systems

As demands for safety and mobility have grown and technological possibilities have multiplied, interest in automation have grown. Seeking to accelerate the development and introduction of fully automated vehicles and highways, the United States Congress authorized more than $650 million over six years for intelligent transport systems (ITS) and demonstration projects in the 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). Congress legislated in ISTEA that the Secretary of Transportation shall develop an automated highway and vehicle prototype from which future fully automated intelligent vehicle-highway systems can be developed. Such development shall include research in human factors to ensure the success of the man-machine relationship. The goal of this program is to have the first fully automated highway roadway or an automated test track in operation by 1997. This system shall accommodate installation of equipment in new and existing motor vehicles." [ISTEA 1991, part B, Section 6054(b)]. Full automation commonly defined as requiring no control or very limited control by the driver; such automation would be accomplished through a combination of sensor, computer, and communications systems in vehicles and along the roadway. Fully automated driving would, in theory, allow closer vehicle spacing and higher speeds, which could enhance traffic capacity in places where additional road building is physically impossible, politically unacceptable, or prohibitively expensive. Automated controls also might enhance road safety by reducing the opportunity for driver error, which causes a large share of motor vehicle crashes. Other potential benefits include improved air quality (as a result of more-efficient traffic flows), increased fuel economy, and spin-off technologies generated during research and development related to automated highway systems

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Automated manufacturing
Automated manufacturing refers to the application of automation to produce things in the factory way. Most of the advantages of the automation technology has its influence in the manufacture processes. The main advantages of automated manufacturing are higher consistency and quality, reduced lead times, simplified production, reduced handling, improved work flow, and increased worker morale when a good implementation of the automation is made.

Home automation
Home automation (also called domotics) designates an emerging practice of increased automation of household appliances and features in residential dwellings, particularly through electronic means that allow for things impracticable, overly expensive or simply not possible in recent past decades

Industrial automation
Industrial automation deals with the optimization of energy-efficient drive systems by precise measurement and control technologies. Nowadays energy efficiency in industrial processes are becoming more and more relevant. Semiconductor companies like Infineon Technologies are offering 8-bit microcontroller applications for example found in motor controls, general purpose pumps, fans, and ebikes to reduce energy consumption and thus increase efficiency. One of Infineon`s 8-bit product line found in industrial automation is the XC800 family. Agriculture: Now that were moving towards automated orange-sorting[1] and autonomous tractors[2], the next step in automated agriculture is robotic strawberry pickers

Agent-assisted Automation
Agent-assisted Automation refers to automation used by call center agents to handle customer inquiries. There are two basic types: desktop automation and automated voice solutions. Desktop automation refers to software programming that makes it easier for the call center agent to work across multiple desktop tools. The automation would take the information entered into one tool and populate it across the others so it did not have to be entered more than once, for example. Automated voice solutions allow the agents to remain on the line while disclosures and other important information is provided to customers in the form of pre-recorded audio files. Specialized applications of these automated voice solutions enable the agents to process credit cards without ever seeing or hearing the credit card numbers or CVV codes[9]

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The key benefit of agent-assisted automation is compliance and error-proofing. Agents are sometimes not fully trained or they forget or ignore key steps in the process. The use of automation ensures that what is supposed to happen on the call actually does, every time.

Reliability and precision

The old focus on using automation simply to increase productivity and reduce costs was seen to be short-sighted, because it is also necessary to provide a skilled workforce who can make repairs and manage the machinery. Moreover, the initial costs of automation were high and often could not be recovered by the time entirely new manufacturing processes replaced the old. (Japan's "robot junkyards" were once world famous in the manufacturing industry.) Automation is now often applied primarily to increase quality in the manufacturing process, where automation can increase quality substantially. For example, internal combustion engine pistons used to be installed manually. This is rapidly being transitioned to automated machine installation, because the error rate for manual installment was around 1-1.5%, but has been reduced to 0.00001% with automation.

Health and environment

The costs of automation to the environment are different depending on the technology, product or engine automated. There are automated engines that consume more energy resources from the Earth in comparison with previous engines and those that do the opposite too. Hazardous operations, such as oil refining, the manufacturing of industrial chemicals, and all forms of metal working, were always early contenders for automation.

Convertibility and turnaround time

Another major shift in automation is the increased demand for flexibility and convertibility in manufacturing processes. Manufacturers are increasingly demanding the ability to easily switch from manufacturing Product A to manufacturing Product B without having to completely rebuild the production lines. Flexibility and distributed processes have led to the introduction of Automated Guided Vehicles with Natural Features Navigation. Digital electronics helped too. Former analogue-based instrumentation was replaced by digital equivalents which can be more accurate and flexible, and offer greater scope for more sophisticated configuration, parametrization and operation. This was accompanied by the fieldbus revolution which provided a networked (i.e. a single cable) means of communicating between control systems and field level instrumentation, eliminating hardwiring. Discrete manufacturing plants adopted these technologies fast. The more conservative process industries with their longer plant life cycles have been slower to adopt and analogue-based measurement and control still dominates. The growing use of Industrial

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Ethernet on the factory floor is pushing these trends still further, enabling manufacturing plants to be integrated more tightly within the enterprise, via the internet if necessary. Global competition has also increased demand for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems.

Automation tools
Engineers now can have numerical control over automated devices. The result has been a rapidly expanding range of applications and human activities. Computer-aided technologies (or CAx) now serve the basis for mathematical and organizational tools used to create complex systems. Notable examples of CAx include Computer-aided design (CAD software) and Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM software). The improved design, analysis, and manufacture of products enabled by CAx has been beneficial for industry.[4] Information technology, together with industrial machinery and processes, can assist in the design, implementation, and monitoring of control systems. One example of an industrial control system is a programmable logic controller (PLC). PLCs are specialized hardened computers which are frequently used to synchronize the flow of inputs from (physical) sensors and events with the flow of outputs to actuators and event Human-machine interfaces (HMI) or computer human interfaces (CHI), formerly known as man-machine interfaces, are usually employed to communicate with PLCs and other computers. Service personnel who monitor and control through HMIs can be called by different names. In industrial process and manufacturing environments, they are called operators or something similar. In boiler houses and central utilities departments they are called stationary engineers Different types of automation tools exist:

ANN - Artificial neural network DCS - Distributed Control System HMI - Human Machine Interface SCADA - Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition PLC - Programmable Logic Controller PAC - Programmable automation controller Instrumentation Motion control Robotics

Limitations to automation

Current technology is unable to automate all the desired tasks. As a process becomes increasingly automated, there is less and less labor to be saved or quality improvement to be gained. This is an example of both diminishing returns and the logistic function.

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Similar to the above, as more and more processes become automated, there are fewer remaining non-automated processes. This is an example of exhaustion of opportunities.

Current limitations
Many roles for humans in industrial processes presently lie beyond the scope of automation. Human-level pattern recognition, language comprehension, and language production ability are well beyond the capabilities of modern mechanical and computer systems. Tasks requiring subjective assessment or synthesis of complex sensory data, such as scents and sounds, as well as high-level tasks such as strategic planning, currently require human expertise. In many cases, the use of humans is more cost-effective than mechanical approaches even where automation of industrial tasks is possible. Overcoming these obstacles is a theorized path to post-scarcity economics.

Artificial neural network

An artificial neural network (ANN), usually called neural network (NN), is a mathematical model or computational model that is inspired by the structure and/or functional aspects of biological neural networks. A neural network consists of an interconnected group of artificial neurons, and it processes information using a connectionist approach to computation. In most cases an ANN is an adaptive system that changes its structure based on external or internal information that flows through the network during the learning phase. Modern neural networks are non-linear statistical data modeling tools. They are usually used to model complex relationships between inputs and outputs or to find patterns in data.

Distributed control system

A distributed control system (DCS) refers to a control system usually of a manufacturing system, process or any kind of dynamic system, in which the controller elements are not central in location (like the brain) but are distributed throughout the system with each component sub-system controlled by one or more controllers. The entire system of controllers is connected by networks for communication and monitoring. DCS is a very broad term used in a variety of industries, to monitor and control distributed equipment.

Electrical power grids and electrical generation plants Environmental control systems Traffic signals Radio signals

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Water management systems Oil refining plants Metallurgical process plants Chemical plants Pharmaceutical manufacturing Sensor networks

User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of humanmachine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the machine which aids the operator in making operational decisions. Examples of this broad concept of user interfaces include the interactive aspects of computer operating systems, hand tools, heavy machinery operator controls, and process controls. The design considerations applicable when creating user interfaces are related to or involve such disciplines as ergonomics and psychology. A user interface is the system by which people (users) interact with a machine. The user interface includes hardware (physical) and software (logical) components. User interfaces exist for various systems, and provide a means of :

Input, allowing the users to manipulate a system Output, allowing the system to indicate the effects of the users' manipulation

SCADA
SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) generally refers to industrial control systems (ICS): computer systems that monitor and control industrial, infrastructure, or facility-based processes, as described below:

Industrial processes include those of manufacturing, production, power generation, fabrication, and refining, and may run in continuous, batch, repetitive, or discrete modes. Infrastructure processes may be public or private, and include water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power transmission and distribution, wind farms, civil defense siren systems, and large communication systems. Facility processes occur both in public facilities and private ones, including buildings, airports, ships, and space stations. They monitor and control HVAC, access, and energy consumption.

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Programmable logic controller

A programmable logic controller (PLC) or programmable controller is a digital computer used for automation of electromechanical processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines, amusement rides, or light fixtures. PLCs are used in many industries and machines. Unlike general-purpose computers, the PLC is designed for multiple inputs and output arrangements, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and impact. Programs to control machine operation are typically stored in battery-backed-up or non-volatile memory. A PLC is an example of a hard real time system since output results must be produced in response to input conditions within a limited time, otherwise unintended operation will result.

Programmable automation controller

A programmable automation controller (PAC) is a compact controller that combines the features and capabilities of a PC-based control system with that of a typical programmable logic controller (PLC). PACs are most often used in industrial settings for process control, data acquisition, remote equipment monitoring, machine vision, and motion control. Additionally, because they function and communicate over popular network interface protocols like TCP/IP, OLE for process control (OPC) and SMTP, PACs are able to transfer data from the machines they control to other machines and components in a networked control system or to application software and databases.

Instrumentation
Instrumentation is defined as the art and science of measurement and control of process variables within a production, or manufacturing area. An instrument is a device that measures and/or regulates physical quantity/process variables such as flow, temperature, level, or pressure. Instruments include many varied contrivances that can be as simple as valves and transmitters, and as complex as analyzers. Instruments often comprise control systems of varied processes such as refineries, factories, and vehicles. The control of processes is one of the main branches of applied instrumentation. Instrumentation can also refer to handheld devices that measure some desired variable. Diverse handheld instrumentation is common in laboratories, but can be found in the household as well. For example, a smoke detector is a common instrument found in most western homes.

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Motion control
Motion control is a sub-field of automation, in which the position or velocity of machines are controlled using some type of device such as a hydraulic pump, linear actuator, or an electric motor, generally a servo. Motion control is an important part of robotics and CNC machine tools, however it is more complex than in the use of specialized machines, where the kinematics are usually simpler. The latter is often called General Motion Control (GMC). Motion control is widely used in the packaging, printing, textile, semiconductor production, and assembly industries.

Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots and computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing. The concept and creation of machines that could operate autonomously dates back to classical times, but research into the functionality and potential uses of robots did not grow substantially until the 20th century.[4] Today, robotics is a rapidly growing field, as research continues and new robots are designed that serve various practical purposes, whether domestically, commercially, or militarily. Many robots do jobs that are hazardous to people such as defusing bombs, exploring shipwrecks, and mines.

Lists of network protocols

The following articles contain lists of network protocols in various formats.

Subsets

by protocol stack: List of network protocol stacks Bluetooth protocols Fibre Channel network protocols Internet Protocol Suite or TCP/IP model or TCP/IP stack OSI protocols family of information exchange standards developed jointly by the ISO and the ITU-T Routing protocols List of IP protocol numbers, protocol numbers used in the Protocol field of the IPv4 header and the Next Header field of IPv6 header Yahoo! Messenger Protocol, underlying protocol used by the Yahoo messenger

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RTPS protocol, an interoperability protocol

Types of automation:
(i). Fixed/ Hard automation (ii). Programmable automation (iii). Flexible automation

Fixed Automation
A process using mechanized machinery to perform fixed and repetitive operations in order to produce a high volume of similar parts. Characteristics: Justified/used where production rates/volumes are high. High initial investment for custom engineered equipment Normally cannot accommodate product changes. Depend largely on skill to organize thr operations. Produces large numbers of nearly identical parts Product design must be stable over its life Advantages: equipment fine tuned to application - decreased cycle time, infrequent setups, automated material handling - fast and efficient movement of parts, very little WIP Disadvantage: inflexible Examples: Mechanized assembly lines. Mechanical lines.

Programmable Automation
In this type of automation, production machines, assembly lines are designed with the capability to change the sequence of operations to cater different types of product changes. This sequence is changed by set of instructions called program, for new products. Characteristics: Sequence controlled by a program

Term Paper High investment in general purpose equipment Lower production rates Flexibility to deal with variation Suitable for batch production Smaller volumes (than fixed) of many different parts More flexible than fixed automation Major disadvantage: setup prior to each new part Large batch size (due to setups) Speed sacrificed for flexibility Examples: Numerically controlled (NC) machines. Industrial robots

Management Support Systems

Flexible Automation
A flexible manufacturing system consists of a group of processing stations (CNC), interconnected by means of an automated material handling and storage system, and controlled by an integrated computer system. Components of an FMS 1. Processing stations 2. Material handling and storage 3. Computer control system Characteristics It is extension of programmable automation No time lost for change over High investment in custom-engineered systems Production of product mix Flexibility to deal with design variations Low to medium quantities Compromise between fixed and programmable automation in speed and flexibility Advantage: programming and setup performed off-line More expensive - size and tool change capabilities Small batch sizes are justified - reduced WIP and lead time Typical parts are expensive, large and require some complex machining Examples: Use of pallet fixtures for holding parts. FMS (Flexible manufacturing systems) Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) for material handling

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Reasons for Automating

Increase production rate eliminate portions of process that directly increase production time: machine processing time, handling time, setup times (SMED) Remove humans from hazardous environments exposure to chemicals, fumes, temperature or radiation robotic applications: L/UL furnaces, spray painting, welding Remove humans from processes that require extremely clean environments: e.g., semiconductors, drugs Reduce number of defective products Reduce direct labor one worker monitors a larger number of machine Increase production rate Strengths of (computer-based) machines Perform repetitive tasks consistently Store large amounts of data Retrieve data from memory reliably Perform multiple tasks simultaneously Apply high forces and power Perform computations quickly

Manual Labor in Automated Systems

Even if all of the manufacturing systems in the factory are automated, there will still be a need for the following kinds of work to be performed: Equipment maintenance. Maintain and repair, improve the reliability, of automated systems. Programming and computer operation. Engineering project work. Upgrades, design tooling, continuous improvement. Plant management.

Automation Principles and Strategies

There are ten Strategies for Automation 1. Specialization of operations. 2. Combined operations. 3. Simultaneous operations. 4. Integration of operations. 5. Increased flexibility. 6. Improved material handling and storage. 7. On line inspection. 8. Process control and optimization. 9. Plant operations control. 10. Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM). Specialization of operations Instead of general purpose, using special perpose equipment designed for greatest efficiency improves productivity and reduces operation time.

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Combined operations Since each machine involved in a sequence of operation requires a set-up. Hence, it can be tried to combine several operations on a single machine, therby reducing no. of machines; non operational time, material handling time. Doing more than one operations on a machine, reduces the no. of separate machines. Simultaneous operations In this strategy, two or more processing or assembly operations can be performed parallel on a single part at a single workstation. It reduces operation time. Integration of operations Linking of several workstations into single integrated mechanism by automated work handling equipment, increses overall output of the system. Increased flexibility Flexible automation attempts to achieve maximum utilization of equipment for job-order and medium volume production. It has lesser lead time, set-up time and work in process. Improved material handling and storage Material handling is the necessary non-productive time. Automated transfer machines reduce lead time, work in process, and non-operating time. On line inspection Automation also involves incorporating inspection within the manufacturing process as the product is being made, thereby reducing scrap and increasing quality of the product to required specifications. Process control and optimization A wide range of control scheme can be applied through automation for optimizing the each step of the process. It reduces operating time, scrap. Plant operations control Attempt to manage and control the operations at plant or aggregate level is made. Usually computer networking at the factory level helps in achieving lesser non productive time, lead time. Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) Computer can also be used in design, CAD/CAM, CAPP (Computer Aided Process Planning) in addition to production and inventory database controls. CIM is just an extension of CAD/CAM. The term CIM is coined to use the computers to: (a) Design the product (CAD). (b) Plan the production. (c) Control the operations (FMS/CAM). (d) Do business related functions.

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Basically CIM is more concerned with information-processing functions required to support the production operations. CIM processes a wider meaning than CAD/CAM. CIM has not only focused on the basic manufacturing system, but rather on how to use computers and robots to dirty work such as: Loading/unloading Line balancing Inventory control Process planning Using JIT (Just In Time) technology with manufacturing and assembly cell. The purpose of CIM is to share information between Design, Engineering Manufacturing and the support departments such as sale/purpose and p[ersonnel department, thereby leading to factory of future.