Page 294 - Sensors and Control Systems in Manufacturing

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Cha p te r
F i v e

advent of the industrial computer disk operating system
(IC-DOS), a real-time operating system that is compatible
with other IBM software. This allows a shop floor computer
to provide real-time control while using software packages
previously found only on office models.
• Microsupercomputers. The hardware of microsupercomputers
has increased computing power significantly. Offering high
performance, transportability, and low price, the new
microsupercomputers compare favorably to mainframes for
many applications.

5.5 Decision Support System for CIM with Sensors and
Control Systems
With an increase in production volume and efficiency comes a need
to have a more effective method of scheduling and controlling
resources. Herein lies a connection between CAE and computer-aided
management. The long-range plans of a company must include fore-
casts of what the demand will be for various products in the future.
Through these forecasts, the enterprise determines what strategy it
will take to ensure survival and growth.
For the enterprise to make intelligent decisions, reliable informa-
tion must be available. In regard to the three levels of decision making,
it is also important that the information be consistent throughout each
level. The best way to assure this availability and consistency is to
make the same database available to all individuals involved in the
production process. Because of lack of good communication between
levels, and sometimes the reluctance of upper-level managers to com-
mit themselves to CIM, constructing a centralized database represents
one of the most difficult problems in the implementation of CIM.
5.5.1 Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
Database (CIM DB)
The creation of a CIM DB is at the heart of the effective functioning of
CIM. Most manufacturers have separate databases set up for nearly
every application. Since data from one segment of an enterprise may
not be structured for access by other segments’ software and hard-
ware, a serious problem for meeting the CIM goal of having readily
available data for all levels occurs. Another problem with multiple
databases is in the redundancy of data. Both the strategic and tactical
decision makers, for example, may need information concerning a
bill of material file. Even with the assumption that the databases con-
tain consistent data (i.e., the same information in each), maintaining
them both represents inefficient use of computer time and storage