Product data modelling for the computer integrated manufacturing of plate bending process in shipbuilding

Abstract

The current plate bending process in shipbuilding is carried out manually by skilled workers with only minimal manufacturing information. To improve productivity, the concept of a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) system is developed for the automation and computerization of the bending process. The objective of this paper is to present a product data modelling process by use of an object oriented methodology for the development of the CIM system. The CIM system developed here consists of an information database, a control system, and an automated machine. In this paper, a product data model is proposed for the CIM database system by employing the four phases of basic objects, relationships and attributes, constraints and model integration. The data model is described using EXPRESS and EXPRESS-G languages. Based on the constructed database, the control system is designed and implemented with engineering analysis, networking, measuring and other features. The main function of the control system is to provide real-time manufacturing information and to control the machine in an integrated manner. Associated with the proposed CIM concept for plate bending, an automated machine has been developed and integrated with the control system to give a complete working system. An example experimental test is presented to provide the functions of the system and to verifythe data and seamless information flow in the system.