A manufacturing cell is not just made up of machine tools. For its proper functioning, a set of support systems is also required to guarantee control over the scheduling, administration and inspection processes of the operation carried out in it.

KUKA. (n.d.). Adaptable mobile robots for manufacturing support. Retrieved from
https://www.kuka.com/es-es/productos-servicios/movilidad/robots-m%c3%b3viles/kmr-iiwa
For educational purposes only.

The support systems can be software or hardware that help the product design processes, planning, administration, and production control. They also evaluate the quality of the products and help with the handling of the materials.

In this topic you will learn about some main manufacturing support technologies: CAD systems (of great importance for the design and programming of CNC machines), CAM (whose main application is in the generation of numerical control codes automatically from a CAD) and CAE systems (which use techniques such as DFM and DFA, finite element and mass properties’ analysis to support experts in engineering tasks).

Today, one of the key elements to ensure successful manufacturing is computer vision systems. Thanks to this technology, the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the products being manufactured in the manufacturing cell can be inspected in real time and at 100%. Finally, there are the storage and material handling systems, since poorly disposed inputs can be the cause of complex misalignment in production schedules, the generation of downtime and damage to components. It is considered that one of the highest costs associated with the manufacture of products is due to a malfunction in the material handling systems.

13.1 CAD/CAM/CAE systems

CAD Systems

Computer-aided design or CAD is defined as an activity that involves the effective use of the computer to create, modify, analyze or document the different stages of the engineering design process (figure 1). It is commonly associated with the use of graphic systems for the generation of digital drawings, but its use has spread over time to many more functions.

Figure 1. Stages of the engineering design process.

Among the benefits of the application of CAD systems in companies, the following can be mentioned.

As mentioned above, CAD systems were initially created with a focus on some exclusive areas of design such as technical drawing and its documentation, but it is also possible to perform other complementary tasks related to interactive presentation and design analysis. 

The CAD systems can be classified according to their ability to represent digital models in space as two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) systems. In turn, 3D modeling can be divided according to its complexity into wire models (wireframe), surface models or solid models. All these classifications will be described in more detail below.

Two-dimensional or 2D models

Two-dimensional or 2D models are basically substitutes for a drawing board and are mainly used for the creation of technical documentation (figure 2).

Figure 2. Technical drawing in two dimensions
SIEMENS. (n.d.). Technical drawing in two dimensions.
Retrieved from https://solidedge.siemens.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/develop3d-cad-drawing.png
For educational purposes only.

In 2D CAD systems, all the geometric information available to the computer is two-dimensional, that is, it is contained in a drawing. However, despite the limitations of these systems in terms of design, their scope of application is very broad, for example, to perform plant layouts, in the design of electrical or electronic circuits, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, as well as in the design and projects of assembly lines or molds, among many other applications.

3D models

3D CAD systems make it possible to define objects spatially, simulating an environment closer to what can be perceived. The information that is represented depends on the level of complexity and the amount of data that the model has.

Among the advantages of 3D models, the following can be mentioned.

• The ability to view the model from any point of view.
• Creating automatically, reliable auxiliary and standard 2D views.
• They can create sections and 2D drawings.
• It is possible to remove hidden lines and perform realistic shading.
• Check for interference and perform an engineering analysis.
• Add lighting and create a realistic shading.
• Scroll through the model.
• Use the model to create an animation.
• Extract manufacturing data.

Table 1 shows the different types of 3D modeling and some of their characteristics.

Models of wires or wireframe	In wireframe CAD models, the computer has the X, Y, Z coordinates of the object's vertices, as well as the information of the geometric elements that join these vertices. Wire cage modeling has ceased to exist as such to become part of surface modelers, serving on many occasions as a base structure for them.
Surface models	Surface CAD models incorporate the wireframe information to subsequently define the faces of the object by means of a surface. They are the most used nowadays when three-dimensional modeling of complex parts is required; when they have been correctly generated, they serve as a starting point for the application of CAM, CAE, rapid prototyping, drawing generation, among other applications. A surface model is a thin sheath that has no mass nor volume, so data such as weight, center of gravity or other similar parameters will not be available. The addition of surface information to the 3D model results in improved graphical images when it transfers a manufacturing application such as CNC.
Modeling of solids	Solid modeling is a relatively recent branch of geometric modeling that emphasizes the general applicability of models and insists on creating only "complete" models of solids, for example, models suitable for algorithmically answering any geometric question posed. The solid modeling has the information of the surface model and also distinguishes the inside from the outside of the part. This allows operations such as the generation of sections of all types, assembly of parts in assemblies for interference analysis, work and movement fields, exploded representation for assembly diagrams, as well as obtaining information such as volume, center of gravity and moments of inertia, among others. A solid modeling system handles two types of information: geometric and topological data. The first are those that geometrically represent objects, for example, coordinates of vertices and equations of surfaces. Instead, topological ones refer to how to connect geometric components to get a model.

Table 1. Different types of 3D modeling

Computer-aided manufacturing or CAM is defined as the efficient use of the computer for machine planning and programming, as well as the control of the manufacturing process. They are strongly associated with manufacturing engineering functions and with numerical control programming processes.

The initial purpose of CAM systems was numerical control, but over time, their field of action has been extended to other areas within the company. Currently, we can see it incorporated in systems involving robotic arms, automatic systems for storage or material handling and inspection systems, among many other areas.

In general, CAM systems comprise all those manufacturing processes supported by a computer that assist machine programming and enable machine control. Their application can be divided into two categories.

• Manufacturing planning
• Manufacturing control

Manufacturing planning

In this application, the computer is used indirectly to support production, for instance, there is no direct connection between it and the process being performed. Computers operate offline to generate information regarding the management of production activities, for example:

• Computer-Aided Process Planning (CAPP). This activity analyzes the best way to manufacture an item based on its design features, shape, materials, and manufacturing sequence. CAPP systems also examine and suggest the best technologies (machines), as well as the number of inputs needed to manufacture the product.

• CNC program generation. CAM systems take information from a CAD to generate a program with the operations necessary to manufacture a part in a machining center. They can also generate programs for other types of machines using numerical control, such as lathes, EDM machines or water or plasma cutting machines.

• Machining parameter calculation systems. CAM systems help to determine the ideal machining parameters for parts, thus, ensuring a quality finish and extending tool life, reducing manufacturing costs.

Table 2 summarizes other applications of CAM systems in manufacturing process planning.

Click on each type of configuration for more information.

 

Manufacturing control

Manufacturing control physically manages the company's operations. Among the functions it can perform are the following:

• Production monitoring and control. CAM systems can be implemented in cellular manufacturing, flexible manufacturing cells or flexible manufacturing systems. In each case, its function is to send information to each machine on what it must manufacture and in what quantity; it also monitors in real time the work performed by each machine and can sometimes intervene by changing work orders in case of contingencies.
• Quality control. CAM systems can monitor the quality control of a product in real time. Technologies, such as vision systems, capture images that are analyzed by software and verify product quality. They also can chart control limits, monitor quality and act before the process fails.

Inspection system with the use of computer vision
https://www.cognex.com/es-mx/products/machine-vision/vision-software/visionpro-software
For educational purposes only.

• Shop floor control. CAM systems can communicate with sensors and actuators to control their actions, allowing changes to be made in production if necessary.
• Inventory control. CAM systems assist in inventory control, calculating the appropriate number of raw materials for the manufacture of parts, trying to keep the minimum quantity to reduce costs.
• "Just-in-time” manufacturing systems. CAM systems support the implementation of strategies such as just-in-time systems, which send only the necessary material to the workstations, thus minimizing the transportation of raw materials through the plant and saving manufacturing costs.

The benefits of CAM systems include the following points:

• Product development, planning and manufacturing times are significantly shortened.
• Improves the quality of components and finished product.
• Downtime is reduced.
• The assessment of alternative solutions for price reduction or operational improvement is facilitated.
• The distribution of machine utilization is optimized.
• Flexibility is increased.
• They can maximize the utilization of production equipment, including high-speed or 5-axis machining, multifunction and turning machines, Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) and Coordinate Machining (CMM).
• They can assist in the creation, verification, and optimization of NC programs for optimal machining productivity, as well as automate the creation of production documentation.
• Advanced CAM systems, integrated with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), provide manufacturing planning and production staffing with data and process management to ensure the correct use of data and resources.
• CAM and PLM systems can be integrated with Direct Numerical Control (DNC) systems for file delivery and management to CNC machines on the shop floor.
• Simulation of strategies and tool paths for machining the designed product, always starting from a CAD model.
• CAM systems can generate the programming of robotic welds and assemblies.
• They enable Computer-Aided Inspection (CAI).

To be considered as a basic CAM system, an application or software must incorporate the functions described below.

• They include the programming function, allowing to obtain the manufacturing code automatically.
• They incorporate some method of post-processing, which allows the code to be translated into the language of the machine to be manufactured. This method interactively performs milling, turning, drilling and even wire machine operations. In some software, through configurable files, it is possible to define the processor of the available machine, but this is not the most common (if you want to have a specific postprocessor, the most common thing to do is to go to the distribution company, since they usually provide the service of generating them).
• Configuration of tool libraries.
• Configuration of patterns that particularize the program interface and specify the start parameters of each job, which may include tools, types of operations, work methods, sequences of operations.
• Ability to import and export the most basic CAD formats and a minimum of capacity.
• Virtual manufacturing simulation capability.
• Detection of possible problems that may arise.

CAE systems

A CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) system includes a set of digital tools that allow to rigorously analyze, simulate, and evaluate the functional parameters of a computational version of the product to be manufactured before sending it to production. If any faults are found, we will go back to the previous design stages to correct them.

Some of its applications are as follows:

• Development of new products and packaging.
• Development of prototypes and computational models.
• Determine the mechanical feasibility of designs and compliance with standards.
• Reverse engineering.
• Reduce the development cycle, improve the quality and desired properties.
• Optimize the designs from a structural point of view.
• Analysis using finite element technologies (stresses, deformations, buckling, thermal expansions, heat transfer).
• Kinematic and dynamic simulation of mechanisms.
• Simulation of metal casting and injection.

A CAE process is divided into three stages.

1. Synthesis stage: it focuses on determining the manufacturability of the product, using Design For Manufacturability (DFM) and Design For Assembly (DFA) principles, as well as enriching the product by adding details and reconfiguring its design. Some authors also call it the DFMA stage, since it includes any procedure or process that considers the production and assembly factors from the product design.
2. Analysis stage: virtual tests are carried out on the product, simulating the conditions of use to which it is exposed; Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Mass Property Analysis (MPA) techniques are used for this.
3. Evaluation stage: prototypes of the designs are made with which various types of more specific tests can be carried out, such as interference analysis, or cosmetic, ergonomic, and even functional modifications, in some cases.

A summary of the tools that are used during any of these stages are the following:

• Design For Manufacturing (DFM)
• Design For Assembly (DFA)
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Mass Properties Analysis (MPA)
• Generation of prototypes
• Design verification

Integration of CAD/CAM systems

CAD/CAM systems are a technology used to automate the design and manufacture of a product. It uses computational resources (software and hardware) to speed up and optimize both processes. The CAD part uses a computer to perform the design functions; on the other hand, the CAM uses the computer processes for the manufacturing functions.
The combination of both in the same process enables the opportunity of reacting faster before possible errors in design or manufacturing. In addition, it reduces product development cycle times, minimizes design costs, ensures an efficient manufacturing process with minimal waste, and increases tool lifetime, among other benefits.

State-of-the-art CAD/CAE/CAM systems

The emergence of CAD/CAE/CAM systems are the next evolutionary step of software tools for manufacturing. Its name indicates the order in which these technologies are applied to a complete process: first we have the drawing of a product through a CAD system (for this it is important that the generated model is 3D and in solids, because this type of drawings have all the necessary information to simulate the behavior of the product to a stimulus virtually, which will verify that the design and materials are correct). Subsequently, the model is subjected to functionality and performance tests using CAE systems. If the product passed the CAE virtual simulations, it goes to the CAM stage where the method, sequence, and type of machines to manufacture the product will be evaluated by CAPP systems. The machines can also be programmed using CAD/CAM technology.

The incorporation of these three technologies greatly enhances product design and manufacturing and brings great benefits to a company. On the contrary, CAD/CAE/CAM systems are sufficiently mature technologies that the investment is fully justified.

13.2 Vision systems

Vision systems are used in industry as one of the most effective non-contact inspection methods. They generally consist of a sensor, a processor, lenses, lighting systems and software. They can examine the products and verify their quantitative characteristics such as length, width, height, radius, and diameter; they can also inspect the qualitative characteristics such as color, surface and absence or presence of components.

COGNEX vision system
https://www.cognex.com/es-mx/products/deep-learning/in-sight-d900
For educational purposes only.

Vision systems date back to the 60s, although at that time no one was able to assume that machine vision could be of any use in industry. It was not until the early 90s that vision technology began to be widely implemented in the industry. At that time most applications were relatively simple in terms of number of processes and execution time but had such a high price that they could hardly be amortized in a reasonable time.

An important reason why parts are inspected by computer monitoring is that when large quantities of products are involved, a fast inspection system is required to verify that the workmanship is correct.

The components of a vision system are the following (figure 3):

Figure 3. Components of a vision system
https://www.innomiles.com/artificial-intelligence-by-machine-vision
For educational purposes only.

Application of the vision systems can be classified as follows:

1. Identification. The system is used to identify a particular product or part. For example, character recognition, such as the reading of alphanumeric data on labels or the recognition of parts before assembly on a worktable.
2. Inspection. Usually, the inspection is subdivided into qualitative inspection and quantitative inspection. In the qualitative inspection, it is the physical attributes that are examined. In quantitative inspection, the dimensional or geometric characteristics of a product are measured and verified.
3. Decision-making. This is a general term that implies several applications. The vision system can be used to provide the necessary information input to give autonomous activity to robotic devices in structured environments.

Another classification of vision systems, but based on their characteristics, is as follows:

1. Classification based on dimensions. Vision systems can be 2D or 3D, when operating in 2D mode they can inspect features such as dimension measurement, the absence or presence of components and the contours of the part to identify shapes. On the other hand, when working in 3D they can identify and measure depths and distances between objects.
2. Classification based on the type of cameras. There are mainly two types of cameras.
   • Vidicom type cameras
     They operate by acquiring the image inside a photo-conductive element which is read by an electron beam that detects different voltages that translate it into different light intensities.
   • Solid state cameras
     They operate by acquiring the image on a photosensitive element, which generates an electric charge that is converted to a proportional light intensity.
3. Classification based on sensor type. As for the type of sensor used, vision systems can be classified into:
   • Vision systems with CID (Charge-injected-device)
   • Vision systems with CCD (Charge-coupled-device)
   • Vision systems with CPD (Charge-priming-device)
   • Vision Systems with CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)
4. Classification based on the type of cameras
   • Smart cameras. The first industrial designs of smart cameras were developed in Europe in the early 90s. They were based on a CCD sensor of 256 x 256 pixels and incorporated a processor that allowed the analysis of the images. The speed was not very high and its robustness as an industrial system left a lot to be desired.
     
     In the years since, the concept has remained the same, but the technology has evolved at such a speed that it has made it possible to develop vision systems integrated in micro cameras that allow solving basic vision applications with high resolution, quality, precision and robustness.

Smart camera
www.cognex.com 
For educational purposes only.

• Integrated multi-camera systems. They are based on a small processor that allows the connection to several cameras. It is customary that it is of the latest generation, with which high process speeds are achieved. Intelligent multi-camera systems are designed for applications where speeds exceed five parts per second are required, as well as for applications where multiple faces of the same object must be analyzed.

Multi-camera system
www.cognex.com 
For educational purposes only.

• PC-based systems. PC-based systems have been evolving into more complex applications, requiring special camera connections, or needing high performance in terms of processing speed or difficulty in the algorithms and programs available. In this way several hundred images per second can be processed and several high-definition cameras, up to 4000 x 3000 pixels, can be incorporated into the same system. They are capable of very complex texture identification, object classification or defect determination in any industrial application.

PC-based system
https://industrial.omron.es/es/products/FH-5550-20
For educational purposes only

• Multiprocessor systems. They are used in applications where a lot of computing power is required and that exceed the capacity of PC-based systems. Applications where this type of system is used are those that require multiple high-speed or high-definition cameras and are very require a highly process-intensive. A typical application would be continuous paper inspection, which is performed at speeds more than 15 meters per second and requires resolutions below half a millimeter, requiring the use of multiple very high-speed linear cameras.

Other applications where these systems are used are related to the military and aerospace industry, in which response speed is critical.

Lighting techniques

The illumination system is one of the most important, since it can highlight those features that are of interest to inspect, while hiding those that are of no interest; 90% of the success of a vision system depends on the illumination technique. Some of the most common are the following (figure 4).

Figure 4. Lighting techniques used in a vision system
Groover, M. (2018). Automation Production System and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (5th ed.). United States: Pearson.
For educational purposes only.

13.3 Storage and material handling system

According to Goover (2018), materials handling comprises all basic operations related to the movement, storage, control and protection of materials, goods and products throughout the manufacturing, distribution, consumption, and disposal process. The field of materials handling focuses on the methods, mechanical equipment, systems, and related controls used to accomplish these functions.

Some of the following recommendations should be considered when designing a material handling system.

• Eliminate transportation as much as possible.
• Use simple patterns.
• Transport loads in both directions.
• Transport full loads.
• Use gravity.
• Avoid manual handling.

The function of a material storage system is to conserve inputs, goods, or products for a period of time, making optimal use of space and ensuring access to them when needed. Some production plants and storage facilities use manual methods to store and retrieve materials, but the trend for several years has been toward more effective, automated methods that maximize the efficiency of the storage function. Storage and transportation of materials.

The list of the principles is displayed when accessing the link,

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)

AS/RS systems are defined as an automated system for storage and retrieval (or delivery) of materials in a manufacturing process. The AS/RS uses a fixed system of rails along which an electromechanical arm runs in X, Z coordinates to reach the bays (also called bays), where the electromechanical arm can rotate and move along the Y axis to store or retrieve (S/R) the materials.

Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) have taken manufacturing and warehousing processes to the next level, combining computer technologies, process automation and warehousing logistics. The first use of AS/RS systems was only for finished goods, but their use has expanded to storage of raw materials, work-in-process (WIP) as well as tooling for manufacturing.

AS/RS systems have also affected the design of warehouses, for example, the racks used by AS/RS are often built to support not only the products, but to support the walls of the buildings that house the warehouses, resulting in a reduction in the cost of manufacturing a plant's buildings.

According to Groover (2018), the types of AS/RS can be the following (chart 3):

Type of AS/RS	Characteristic
Unit Load AS/RS	System designed to handle unit loads stored on platforms or in standardized containers. The system is computer controlled and the S/R machines are automated and designed to handle the containers.
Deep-Lane AS/RS	Deep-Lane AS/RS systems are appropriate when large quantities of stock are stored, but the number of SKUs (Stock Keeping Unit) is relatively small. In this system, one load is stored one after the other. Loads are picked from one side of the rack by a type of S/R machine designed for retrieval, and another machine is used on the entry side of the rack for load entry.
Miniload AS/RS	Miniload AS/RS systems are used to handle small quantities of parts that are stored in crates. The S/R structure is designed to retrieve the crate and deliver it to a P/D station (pickup-and-deposit), where individual items are removed from the crates. Usually the P&D station is operated by a single operator.
Man-On-Board AS/RS	In this type of AS/RS, an operator is mounted on a basket that is moved to the lockers where the operator must deposit or pick up the materials. The AS/RS computing system moves the basket to the correct position.
Automated Item Retrieval System	This type of system is designed to store individual parts or small products; however, the products are deposited in containers which move on rails. In the system’s Automated Item Retrieval System, when an item needs to be retrieved, it is pushed onto the rail and dropped onto a conveyor for delivery to the picking station. The system is periodically refilled from the back side, allowing for first-in/first-out inventory turnover.
Vertical Lift Storage Modules (VLSM)	These systems, also known as (VL-AS/RS), differ from all previous models in that their boxes are distributed vertically rather than horizontally along a corridor. Due to the vertical configuration, these systems can reach 10 meters in height or more.

Table 3. Types of AS/RS systems

AS/RS systems have different components for their operation, among which the most important are shown below (figure 5).

Figure 5. Structure of an AS/RS system
Groover, M. (2018). Automation Production System and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (5th ed.). United States: Pearson.
educational purposes only.

 

1. Storage structure. It is the main body of the AS / RS that will house the boxes where the products will be deposited. The storage structure can be designed according to production needs as well as space availability. The electromechanical arm that will move the pieces between the boxes or the P&D station will be attached to the storage structure.
   
2. The S/R. (Storage/Retrieval) system is used to pick up loads at the inbound station and place them in their storage location and retrieve loads for delivery to the outbound station. The S/R system typically consists of four axes, three of the basic movements are performed by pneumatic systems and the fourth movement is performed by an electromechanical system.
   
3. Storage modules. The storage modules are the unit load containers of the stored material. They can be platforms, baskets, special crates, and are configured by the user in four possible categories.
   • Inbound warehouse. Defines the box as inbound materials.
   • Outbound warehouse. Set the box as outbound of finished products.
   • Scrap warehouse. Defines the box as a warehouse for defective products.
   • General warehouse. Defines the box as temporary storage of material or products.
4. P&D stations (warehouse stations). P&D stations are areas where loads are transferred in and out of the AS/RS. They are usually located at the end of the aisles of the AS/RS, in AGVS (Automated Guided Vehicle System) vehicles or on conveyor belts.
   
5. Control system. It consists of several components, on the one hand, there is the computer where the program that will run the sequence of operations to deliver or pick up the products is executed. AS/RS systems can have programming languages defined by the company that manufactures the system, or they can be customized interfaces for a customer.
   On the other hand, the control systems include a cabinet in which the solenoid valves, the motor inverter, the PLC, as well as the pneumatic and electrical connections of the station are located. The transmission system (motor, bearings, and encoder) is mounted on the lower part.
   
   

Conveyor belts (conveyors)

Conveyors can be divided into two categories based on the type of power they use.

• Energized
• Not energized

Energized conveyors can be divided into two categories.

• Continuous. They use a constant speed along their entire length.
• Asynchronous. They contain stops along the path of a part.

In turn, energized conveyor belts can be classified based on their travel into:

• Single direction
• Recirculating
• Continuous loop

Conveyor belt calculations

The time required to move a part from start to finish in a one-way conveyor belt is given by the following formulas.

Where:
Td = Delivery time (min)
Ld = Conveyor length (m, ft)
Vc = Conveyor speed (m/min, ft/min)
An essential requirement for conveyor belts is that the unloading time must be equal or less than the charging time.

Where:
Tu = Time unloading (min/part)
TL = Time loading (min/part)
The following formula can be used to calculate the average material flow on a conveyor belt.

Where:
Rf = Frequency or flow of the material (parts/min)
RL = Load average (parts/min)
np = Number of parts per load
Vc = Conveyor speed (m/min, ft/min)
Sc = center-center distance between loads. (m/pcs, ft/pcs)
TL = Loading time for parts (min/parts)

Support systems play a very important role in manufacturing systems, there is a wide area of knowledge for each of the technologies that compose them: CAD, CAM, CAE, vision systems, automatic systems for storage and material handling. As an engineer you must have the knowledge and mastery of each of these technologies and be able to improve manufacturing processes.

Support technologies are constantly being renewed to find new ways to make tasks more economical, faster, more flexible, with the lowest energy consumption and with the highest possible capabilities.

Support systems can represent a fairly high cost for companies, but it is a necessary investment, given that without them, they would be very unproductive and would lose the market quickly, even until closing. It is important to evaluate the needs of each company to decide which of all the options on the market is the most convenient, for example, in CAD systems alone you can find a huge variety of similar software on the market. Which one to buy? Well, that depends on an analysis that, as an engineer, you will have to carry out make the best decision.

Make sure that you:

• Determine the technologies used in the supports for manufacturing.
• Understand CAD/CAM/CAE systems.
• Comprehend what they are used for and what are the components of a vision system.
• Identify the systems of storage and transport of materials.

• Groover, M. (2018). Automation Production System and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (5th ed.). United States: Pearson.
• HMConsultores y Asesores. (2017). 20 PRINCIPIOS DEL MANEJO DE MATERIALES. Retrieved from https://hmconsultoresyasesores.wordpress.com/2017/08/19/20-principios-del-manejo-de-materiales/

Videos

To learn more about automated material handling systems, watch the following video:

• Daifuku Global Channel "D-Tube!" (2020, October 16). Automated Material Handling Systems Solution (Semiconductor) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Bv9BJE2lI

To learn more about computer vision in manufacturing, watch the following video:

• PGS Software. (2021, February 18). The Power of Computer Vision in Manufacturing [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrQV8Zz9o_8

To learn more about Siemens NX, watch the following video:

• PROLIM Global Corporation. (2022, March 25). What's New in Siemens NX - PROLIM [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSZVi-XPDXQ

Readings

To learn more about computer vision in manufacturing, we recommend reading:

• Bokhan, K. (2020). Computer vision in manufacturing: What, Why, and How? Retrieved from https://www.n-ix.com/computer-vision-manufacturing/

To learn more about machine vision, we recommend reading:

• COGNEX. (2022). COMPONENTS OF MACHINE VISION. Retrieved from https://www.cognex.com/what-is/machine-vision/components

To learn more about automated storage, we recommend reading:

• MHI. (2022). Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems. Retrieved from https://www.mhi.org/fundamentals/automated-storage

To learn more about CAD and CAE, we recommend reading :

• Zitzewitz, V. (2021). What is the Difference Between CAD and CAE? Retrieved from https://www.simscale.com/blog/2017/04/difference-between-cad-and-cae/

Description

Through a search and analysis of the information, the student will consolidate the topics covered in class on manufacturing support systems.

Objective

To learn about the software and hardware technologies that integrate manufacturing support systems.

Requirements

• Read the explanation of topic 13. "Manufacturing support systems".
• Read the following topics from the textbook.
  • Inspection technologies
  • Product design and CAD/CAM in the production
  • Material transport systems
  • Storage systems

Groover, M. (2018). Automation Production System and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (5th ed.). United States: Pearson.

• Visit the manufacturing cell.
• Software Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V.13.

Instructions

Individually

1. First, conduct some research in reliable Internet sources and generate a chronology where the impact of the presence and evolution of CAD, CAM and CAE systems in the development and automation of manufacturing processes (up until reaching the Smart Industry we have today) is represented.
2. Then, visit your campus manufacturing cell and find out if they have any computer vision-based support systems installed and answer the following questions.
   1. What is the function that the system occupies within the cell?
   2. What kind of cameras and lighting system does it use?
   3. Make a proposal to integrate the manufacturing process of the part developed in activity 12 with the computer vision system available in the cell.
   4. Based on the characteristics of the working environment of the manufacturing cell, develop a proposal to extend the use of the vision system to other areas within the cell itself. Describe in detail, if necessary, the new equipment you recommend using and how it can be coupled with the existing infrastructure.
3. During the visit to your campus manufacturing cell, research all the material handling techniques implemented in the cell (AS/RS, conveyor belt, AGVS, among others) and make a summary table with this information.
4. With all the data obtained in the development of this activity, a complete simulation of the manufacturing process of the part created in activity 12 is prepared. Use the Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V.13 software tool as support.
5. Finally, draw up a document setting out your results, including evidence of the activities carried out. Add at the end of the document a small conclusion about what you learned.

Deliverable(s)

A document with the development of the activity.

Evaluation criteria

1. Prepare the requested chronology.
2. Visit the manufacturing cell. Answer the indicated questions and include the two proposals for the use and expansion of the vision system to other areas of the cell.
3. Make the summary table with the material handling techniques implemented in the cell.
4. Perform the simulation of the manufacturing process.
5. Prepare the final document with the summary of the results obtained.

Description

Solve exercises on material transport systems and answer a questionnaire with review questions.

Instructions

Individually

1. First, answer the 11 questions in the review question in chapter 23. Product design and CAD/CAM in the production system of the textbook, click here.
2. Next, answer the 19 questions in the review question in chapter 22. Inspection technologies from the textbook, click here.
3. In addition, solve the following exercise.
1. A one-way conveyor has a length of 40 meters and its speed is 20 m/min, constant. The parts are loaded to the conveyor in trays placed at the beginning.
2. Two robots are operating in the loading station: the first one loads 25 pieces in each tray, it takes 10 seconds; the second robot loads the trays to the conveyor belt and takes 3 seconds for this operation.

Determine.

1. The space between trays along the conveyor.
2. The flow of material in parts/min.
3. The time required to unload the parts from the conveyor.

Deliverable(s)

Submit a written report of the three activities.