Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Systems Lab

The Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Systems lab provides students the opportunity to integrate computers into manufacturing.  This includes the use of computers for designing products, controlling manufacturing processes and combining them into systems, and collecting manufacturing information.  The CIMS lab is designed to perform five functions: research and development, product design, process planning, product manufacturing, and production planning and control.  The CIMS lab is organized into three-subordinate sections that support these functions: 1) Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), 2) Stand-alone Computer-Numerical Control (CNC) Machines, and 3) Flexible-Manufacturing System (FMS).  In the CIMS lab, the computers are linked through an Ethernet local-area network (LAN) that is interfaced with the SEAS server.

Equipment

Hardware 

Flexible-Manufacturing System with 4 working cells that includes:
3 computers
3 robots
4 programmable-controllers
1 CNC turning machine
and an Automatic Storage and Retrieval
The cells are connected through a conveyor system with appropriate loading/unloading stations, sensors, relays, solenoids, and actuators.

3 Stand-alone CNC machines: two for milling and 1 for turning

6 Networked Computers

Software 

AutoCAD
IDEAS
SmartCAM
CAM-Link