ME2402 Computer Integrated Manufacturing

ME2402 COMPUTER INTEGRATED MENUFACTURING

Anna University Examination
Part-A (Questions & Answers)
1.

Nov/Dec 2011
List any four reasons for using a CAD system.
To increase the productivity of the designer
To improve the communication
To create a database for engineering
To improve the quality of design

2.

What are the components of a CAD system?

Geometric modelling,
Design analysis and optimisation,
Design review and evaluation,
Documentation and drafting

3.

List any two benefits of CIM.

Tangible benefits
Higher profits
Improved quality
Shorter time to market with new
products
Shorter flow time
Shorter vendor lead time
Reduced inventory levels
Improved schedule performance

Intangible benefits
Improved customer service
Greater Flexibility
Greater responsiveness
Improved competitiveness
Safer working environment
Higher employee morale
More opportunities for upgrading
skills

4.

What are the various network topologies?

The five basic network topologies are: Star, Tree, Bus, Ring and
Hybrid.

5.

State the role of GT in CAD/CAM integration.

GT applications provide a common database for effective integration of
CAD and CAM, which leads to successful implementation of CIM. Foe the
effective integration of CAD and CAM, one needs to integrate the
information used by all the departments in a shop such as design,
manufacturing, quality, etc.,
Group technology provides a means to structure and save information
about parts, such as design and manufacturing attributes, processes, and
manufacturing capabilities that is amenable to computerization and
analysis. It provides a common language for the users. Integration of
many types of part - related information would be virtually impossible
without group technology; consequently, group technology is an
important element of CAD/CAM integration.

TKSCT/Department of Mechanical Engineering

Page 1

ME2402 Computer Integrated Manufacturing

6.

List any two benefits of CAPP.

The benefits of implementing CAPP include the following:
Improved rationalization and standardization of plans
Increased productivity
Reduced time to production
Increased integration of design and manufacturing
Elimination of human error
Reduced product cost

7.

Mention any two methods used to collect data from the shop
floor.
1. Manual data input techniques
a. Job traveller
b. Employee time sheet
c. Operation tear strips
d. Prepunched cards
2. Data collection terminals
a. Push button keyboards
b. Keyboard based terminals
3. Automated input techniques
a. Optical bar code readers
b. Magnetic card readers
c. Magnetised or bar-coded readers

8.

Write any two applications of FMS.

The applications of FMS are realised in the following areas:
Machining; Assembly; Forging; Sheet metal press working; Welding;
Plastic injection moulding; Textile machinery manufacturing and
Semiconductor component manufacture.

9.

Define Lean manufacturing.

Lean manufacturing may be defined as an adaptation of mass
production in which workers and work cells are made more flexible and
efficient by adopting methods that reduce waste in all forms.

10.

What are the components of DDC?

1. Transducer, sensors and associated instrumentation.
2. Actuators (Process interface devices)
3. Digital computer
4. Analog-to-digital convertor (ADC)
5. Digital-to- Analog convertor (DAC)
6. Input and output multiplexers

TKSCT/Department of Mechanical Engineering

Page 2

ME2402 Computer Integrated Manufacturing

1.

May/June 2012
What are the drawing features of CAD package?
Geometric modelling features
Editing or manipulation features
Display control features
Drafting features

2.

What are the advantages of solid modelling?

Mass properties of physical model can be calculated easily.
Solid models are unambiguous models.
Cross sectional views of model can be easily found.
It can be used for interference/clearance checking of moving parts.

3.

What is the difference between automation and CIM?

Automation may be defined as the process of having machines follow a
predetermined sequence of operations with little or no human labour,
using specialised equipment and devices that perform and control
manufacturing processes.
CIM is the automated version of manufacturing process where the three
major manufacturing functions: product design and process design;
production planning and control; and production process- are replaced by
the automated technologies. CIM represents the logical evaluation of the
automation concept.

4.

What is meant by asynchronous data transfer?

In asynchronous data transfer, data is sent one byte (or character) at a
time. Each string of bits making up the byte is bracketed, or marked off,
with special control bits.

5.

Mention the benefits of GT.

Reduce part proliferation
Help design standardization
Provide manufacturing feed back
Reduce lead time
Reduce delays
Reduce set-up time
Improve product quality
Increased productivity
Improved accuracy in estimation of costs
Greater standardization and variety reduction
Reduced set up times
Better product delivery (Helps to implement just-in-time (JIT)
manufacturing)
Reduced cost of purchasing
Improved plant efficiency

TKSCT/Department of Mechanical Engineering

Page 3

ME2402 Computer Integrated Manufacturing

6.

What is CAPP?
CAPP refers to computer aided process planning. CAPP is used to
overcome the drawbacks of manual process planning. CAPP is the
application of computer to assist the human process planer in the process
planning function.

7.

List the different stages of shop floor control.

1. Order release
2. Order scheduling, and
3. Order Progress.

8.

State the functions of computer control system of FMS.

The functions that are performed by the FMS computer control system
includes:
1. Workstation/ processing station control,
2. Distribution of control instructions to workstations,
3. Production control,
4. Material handling system control.

9.

Define Agile manufacturing.

Agile manufacturing is an enterprise level manufacturing strategy of
introducing new products into rapidly changing markets, and an
organisational ability to thrive in a competitive environment
characterised by continuous and sometimes unforeseen changes.

10.

What are the inputs to MRP system?

1. Master production Schedule
2. Bill of materials file, and
3. Inventory record file.

1.

Nov/Dec 2012
What is meant by geometry and topology?
Geometry is concerned with size, shape, and relative position of figures.
Topology is a branch of geometry that concerns only connectness (i.e.,
connectivity of edges, vertices, etc.)

2.

List any four rules of dimensioning.

1. Dimensions should be placed in views where the features
dimensioned are shown true shape.
2. Dimensioning to hidden lines should be avoided wherever
possible.
3. Dimensioning should not be duplicated.
4. Each dimension should be so clearly so that it can be interpret in
only one way.

3.

Mention the benefits of CIM.

Refer Nov/Dec 2011 Part-A Question No: 3

TKSCT/Department of Mechanical Engineering

Page 4

ME2402 Computer Integrated Manufacturing

4.

Differentiate between LAN model and MAN model.

A local area network (LAN) is a privately owned communications
network used within a geographical area.
A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a communication network
covering a geographic area the size of city or suburb.

5.

What is meant by monocode and polycode structures?

Hierarchical structure (or mono-code), in which the interpretation of
each successive symbol depends on the value of the preceding symbols.
Whereas the chain-type structure (or poly-code), the interpretation of
each successive symbol does not depend on the preceding symbols & the
symbol in the sequence is always the same.

6.

List out the techniques available for the formation of cell in GT.
1. Part Family grouping
a. Classification and coding
b. Cluster analysis
2. Machining grouping
a. Cluster analysis
b. Graph theory
c. Combinational analysis
3. Machine-part family grouping
a. PFA
b. Rank order clustering

7.

Difference between dedicated FMS and random order FMS.

A dedicated FMS is designed to produce a limited variety of part
configurations. A random order FMS is more flexible and capable of
producing large variety of parts.

8.

State the purpose of primary and secondary material handling

system.
The primary material handling system establishes the basic layout of the
FMS and is responsible for moving work-parts between workstations in
the system.
The secondary material handling system transfer work parts from the
primary system to the machine tools or other processing stations.

9.

Write down the three phases of SFC.

Order release;
Order scheduling; and
Order progress.

10.

What is meant by procurement lead time?

The procurement lead time is the interval between the initiation of
procurement action and the receipt into the supply system of the material
procured.

TKSCT/Department of Mechanical Engineering

Page 5

ME2402 Computer Integrated Manufacturing

1.

May/June 2013
Distinguish between reflection and scaling transformation.
Scaling an object tends to change its size and repositions the object
relative to the coordinate origin.
Reflection is a transformation in which the direction of one axis is
reversed and it produces a mirror image of an object.

2.

What is sculptured surface?

Refer Nov/Dec 2012 Part-A Question No: 2

3.

What is communication network? List its types.

A communication network is a collection of equipment and physical
media that interconnects two or more computers.
Types may be internal or external communication.

4.

What is MAP model?

MAP is manufacturing automation protocol and these standards are
essentially an application specific subset of the ISO protocols designed to
meet the needs of factory automation.

5.

What is main difference between Hierarchical codes and

attribute codes structures?
Refer Nov/Dec 2012 Part-A Question No: 5

6.

What is CMPP system?

The CMPP stands for Computer Managed process planning and is a
commercial generative process planning system capable of automatically
making process decisions.

7.

Distinguish between on-line and off-line data collection systems.

In an online system, the data are entered directly into the plant
computer system and are immediately available to the order progress
module.
In an offline data collection system, the data are collected temporarily
in a storage device or in a standalone computer system to be entered and
processed by plant computer in a batch mode.

8.

List some important advantages of implementing FMS.

1. Increased machine utilization.
2. Reduced inventory.
3. Reduced manufacturing lead time.
4. Greater flexibility in production scheduling.
5. Improved product quality.

9.

What do you mean by fixed order quality model?

Q model or EOQ model is the inventory system to determine how
much quantity to order and when to order. In this system, the size of the
order (order quantity) is predetermined and fixed, but the time of its

TKSCT/Department of Mechanical Engineering

Page 6

ME2402 Computer Integrated Manufacturing

placement (ordering time) is allowed to vary depending upon the

fluctuation in demand.
10.

1.

What is direct digital control?

DDC is a computer process control system in which certain
components in a conventional analog control system are replaced by the
digital computer.
Nov/Dec 2013
What are the advantages to be gained by the adaptation of CAD?
Increased design productivity.
Shorter lead time.
Flexibility in design.
Improved design analysis.
Fewer design errors.
Greater accuracy in design calculation.
Better visualization of drawings.
Faster new products design.
Standardization of design, drafting and documentation procedures.

2.

Specify the range of applications for which typical geometric

modelling information is used.
Process planning, tool design, production planning, and CNC
programming, inspection, assembly, costing and vendor development

3.

Differentiate IGES and GKS graphics standards.

GKS (Graphical Kernel System) is an ANSI and ISO standard.GKS
standardizes two-dimensional graphics functionality at a relatively low
level.
IGES
stands
for
INITIAL
GRAPHICS
EXCHANGE
SPECIFICATION. IGES is a popular data exchange standard.

4.

Differentiate Modulation and Demodulation.

Refer Nov/Dec 2012 Part-A Question No: 5

5.

Explain OPTIZ coding system.

This classification and coding system was developed by H. Opitz in
1970 at Aachen Technology University in West Germany. The coding
system uses the following digital sequence:
123456789ABCD
The basic code consists of nine digits that can be extended by
additional four digits. The first five digits are called the form code and
indicate the design or the general appearance of the part and hence assist
in design retrieval.
Later, 4 more digits were added to the coding scheme, in order to
increase the manufacturing information of the specific work part. These
last four digits are also called supplementary code. All four are integers,
and respectively represent: Dimensions, Material, Original shape of raw

TKSCT/Department of Mechanical Engineering

Page 7

ME2402 Computer Integrated Manufacturing

stock, and Accuracy of the work part.

The extra four digits, A, B, C, and D, called the secondary code, are
used by the specific organization to include those characters that are
specific to the organization.
6.

Define Group Technology.

Group Technology is a manufacturing philosophy that exploits
similarities in the design, fabrication, and assembly attributes of
products. GT is a manufacturing philosophy in which similar parts are
identified and grouped together to take advantage of their similarities in
manufacturing and design.

7.

Mention the importance of SFC systems.

Shop floor control deals with managing the work-in-process. This
consists of the release of production orders to the factory, controlling the
progress of the orders through the various work stations, and getting the
current information of the status of the orders.

8.

What are the inputs and outputs of MRP?

Inputs to MRP system
1. Master production Schedule
2. Bill of materials file, and
3. Inventory record file.
Outputs to MRP system
1. Order release notice.
2. Report of planned order releases.
3. Cancellation notices.
4. Exception reports.

9.

Describe CIM data transmission methods.

1. Serial data transmission
a. Synchronous data transfer
b. Asynchronous data transfer
2. Parallel data transmission

10.

List different types of production monitoring systems.

1. Data Acquisition systems.
2. Data Logging systems, and
3. Multilevel scanning.
REFERANCES

01. (R1) Groover, M. P., CAD/CAM Computer Aided design and Manufacturing,
Prentice-Hall of India, 1998.
02. (R2) Groover, M. P., Automation, Production system and CIM, Prentice-Hall
of India, 1998.
03. (R3) K.Lalit Narayan., Malkarjuna Rao. M., Sarcar. M. M. M., Computer
Aided design and Manufacturing, Prentice-Hall of India, 2000.
TKSCT/Department of Mechanical Engineering

Page 8