Computer Integrated Manufacturing(CIM)

Course Description

Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) introduces students to the rapidly developing fields of automated manufacturing, industrial robotics, numerical control programming and materials handling. In Units 1 and 2, students learn how different types of computer programs are used in industry to control machines and perform quality control inspections. Student activities will include systems planning, writing robot control programs, develop open-ended robotics programs and creating solutions to typical automated industrial tasks via hands-on projects and computer simulations.

Students will be expected to work independently and cooperatively when devising innovative and creative solutions to a vast array of technical problems through which they will develop an appreciation for the complexities and accomplishments of our industrial manufacturing process. Students will understand that a true computer integrated manufacturing system encompasses all operations from order entry to product shipment.

In Unit 3, the CIM course gives students the opportunity to actually coordinate the use of our stationary robot with real Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment such as our milling machine, which is capable of working to tolerances of +/- .001 inch.

This course also builds upon the computer solid modeling skills that students developed in the Introduction to Engineering Design course (IED). The CIM course takes those skills and applies them to actually manufacturing parts. Students develop and individual designs and make the appropriate modifications before producing their prototypes on the CNC milling machine. Students will also be introduced to using of off-line robotics simulation programs and understand how this concept is used in industry to make the manufacturing process more efficient.