A Virtual Computer Integrated Manufacturing Solution Based On Five Layer Architecture Using Axiomatic Design Theory

Today’s manufacturing industries have been characterized by the globalization paradigm. This paradigm has introduced concepts like customers’ demand for product characterized with higher quality, lower cost, and with shorter delivery times. To fulfill this paradigm, manufacturing enterprises have applied various solutions in which the Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) solutions are the most common solutions. CIM solutions enable the globalized manufacturing environments for capabilities like rapidness in respond to constantly changing customer requirements and more qualified products with shorter lead time and lower cost. Virtual CIM systems are known as solutions for enterprises which are composed of many Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which are connected to each other, via computer networks. However, researchers believe that the implementation aspects of CIM solutions are challenging especially considering the CIM systems’ architecture. In this paper, the dominant researchers in the area of CIM solutions especially for VCIM systems have been considered. Considering the shortcomings of the reviewed researches, the paper proposes a layered architecture for a novel VCIM solution. The approach of the paper is based on a layered analysis of today’s manufacturing systems. The proposed layered VCIM solution considers the essential requirements for a Virtual Computer Integrated Manufacturing solution. Using a layered architecture, the paper applies the Axiomatic Design theory to insure the capabilities of the proposed VCIM solution. The proposed VCIM solution fulfills the Axiomatic Design theory requirements and have enabled a valid architecture. For further researches, the authors propose the extension of the VCIM solution for more global manufacturing paradigm. Also, the implementation aspects of the proposed VCIM solutions especially using the Axiomatic Design theory are suggested for future researches.