Project Introduction: Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) is a method of manufacturing in which the entire production process is controlled by computer. Typically, it relies on closed-loop control processes, based on real-time input from sensors. It is also known for providing flexible design and manufacturing by allowing areas such as design, analysis, planning, inventory control, and distribution to be linked through the computer with factory floor functions providing direct control and monitoring of all process operations.

System Requirements: The majority of current-gen production equipment includes CIM functionality; in this application, the customer wanted to design a CIM PC to integrate existing equipment that did not have built-in CIM.

• Needed to be compact in size since it's an add-on unit
• To integrate both communication and digital I/O interfaces
• To provide the production information that can be integrated into an MES system

Project Implementation:

UNO-2171: Intel Pentium M/Celeron M Embedded Automation Computer

PCM-3641I: 4-Port RS-232 Module

PCM-3753I: 96-Channel Digital I/O PCI-104 Module

System Description: The PCM-3641I is used to communicate with equipment's controller, to gather the equipment operation, runtime and downtime information, and then convert it into the MES server. On the other hand, The MES server will download the production information into the equipment through PCM-3641I's serial communication port. Moreover, the PCM-3641I is also connected with other additional devices (such as barcode readers), to gather all the relative information. The PCM-3753I is used to integrate with sensors, buttons and lights that can record the critical operation information.

Conclusion: This new specific function controller reduced the overall dimensions of the system by 50% (compared with the previous IPC chassis) and saved 25% wiring time on integration and testing. It also saved 37% on costs by adopting this controller into existing equipment.