Identifying the task dependence in computer supported large scale collaborative manufacturing via E-CARGO model

Task dependence identification will benefit collaborative manufacturing in reducing the process coordination and materials or semi-manufactured product transfer delay between different process steps. However, in large scale collaborative manufacturing, it is hard to determine the task dependence as there are multiple products and lots process steps should be done for each product. This paper presents yet a new method to identify the task dependence in computer aided collaborative manufacturing through E-CARGO model. Process steps and product are described in the model and the relationship between different process steps can be easily identified. A case study is demonstrated for the adoption of this method.