Problems of Creating Computer Integrated Manufacture for Pilot Mechanical Engineering
The specific features of experimental mechanical engineering require production and technical systems (PTSs) to be highly flexible. At the same time, the necessity of engineering and production support for scientific research work and the development of new equipment with limited labour resources in the shortest period of time make it necessary to increase the level of PTS automation. The problem of flexible automation of PTSs can be solved by creating a computer integrated manufacture (CIM). The present article describes the experience of the creation of CIM for the production of high-technology experimental equipment at the Russian Research Centre (RRC) ‘Kurchatov Institute’. The system functions and the level of automation of various activities in the system are described. Methods of overcoming many troubles encountered during the creation of CIMs are shown.