Industrial-Standard Control
A multi-station pallet transfer conveyor automatically moves material from
station to station on pallets using a programmable logic controller (PLC) with
advanced command set including data file commands. The PLC receives
raw material routings from the cell manager and controls pallet movement by
receiving tracking data via an RS-485 network from barcode readers located
at each station. No other educational CIM system uses this industrial-standard
control method!
Advanced Station
Controller Capability
Amatrol robot controllers and
PCs equipped with Amatrol’s
Station Interface software perform
the station controller functions
including Ethernet communications. The station controller communicates
to CNC machines, vision systems, gages, and sensors via a variety of methods
including RS-232 serial, DeviceNet, Ethernet, Profibus, Data Highway, and discrete
I/O.
Powerful CIMSoft CIM Software
Amatrol’s CIMsoft CIM software is the most powerful and complete CIM software available with turnkey educational CIM
systems today. CIMSoft is the only software that includes a comprehensive array of software modules, enabling schools
to teach how CIM is applied to the entire enterprise- business, engineering, and factory floor elements-and the links
between them. CIMsoft features industrial quality design and provides an open database structure, enabling users to
easily integrate other products and obtain data for analysis.
CIMSoft’s graphic simulation module enables users to design a wide
variety of automation systems in a realistic 3D format. The true 3D
nature allows users to rotate
the workspace and view the
system from any angle. The
layouts developed can then
be used with the process
planner module to track the
status of a system in real
time or simulate the operation
of the system.
Process Planning with Cell Control
The process planner module identifies the material used to manufacture
the product and the routing each material must take through the material
handling system to be processed. This process
planner is very powerful with the ability to handle
complex manufacturing processes consisting of multiple
parts on multiple pallets. To make a product,
a process plan is transferred to the PLC conveyor
control, which uses it to route pallets through the
system.
Network Communications and
Programming
CIMsoft provides manual communications
and control of all stations from the cell manager.
This is an excellent diagnostic tool
and supports use of individual station study.
Students can also off-line program various
automation components through CIMsoft’s
integrated program menu.
Inventory Management and Bill of Material
The inventory management module enables a complete inventory to be
set up in a flexible easy-to-use database. Each
inventory item is given an item master file, which
identifies the material and quantity on hand. Links
are also provided to make it easy to see where
the material is used in bills of material, where
it is located, and if it is allocated to scheduled
orders. The bill of material module shows a listing
of all material required to make a product.
Scheduling and Order Entry
The CIMSoft scheduler module
includes finite capacity scheduling,
which considers the availability of
work center capacity as well the
availability of materials in inventory
in its scheduling of
jobs. It supports
both forward and backward scheduling and can display
schedules by work center or job. Shop load graphs in
both bar chart and Gannt chart formats are also available
to graphically analyze production schedules and
more quickly identify bottlenecks.
Users can easily
enter orders into the CIMSoft database
through the Order Entry module
and integrate them into existing
schedules. User-friendly order entry
screens also enable users to determine
order completion status.
Job Cost Analysis/ Estimator
CIMSoft’s order analysis module enables users to determine
the actual costs incurred during actual production and estimate
the cost of future production. Users can view the costs by
each step of the process plan, even comparing estimates with
actual production costs. This data is presented in real time.
The MiniCIM’s wide variety of automation components enable students to explore a complete range of CIM studies.
Examples include: servo and non servo robots, gauging and vision, multiple networks, and applications such as
machining, assembly, electronics, laser machining, and wood manufacturing.
Task-Based Curriculum
The MiniCIM curriculum uses a task-based design where theory and hands-on learning activities are structured around industry-relevant tasks.
Individualized and Group Learning Formats
Amatrol’s learning activity packet (LAP) design gives instructors the flexibility to teach students using either a self-directed or traditional lecture-lab format. All theory and hands-on instructional materials needed for teaching both formats are included in each learning activity packet.
Certification of Skills
The MiniCIM Program includes a real world assessment process that allows teachers to certify student skills. Amatrol’s SkillPro Advantage software makes documentation of this process an easy task for teachers with a barcode data collection system and powerful reporting tools.
Amatrol's MiniCIM Program Contents
- Learning System-The system includes hands-on stations with industrial quality software and equipment to provide learning in mechatronics topics.
- Printed Curriculum-Each learning system includes a printed curriculum in an individualized, layered, task- based format.
- Electronic Assessment System-The optional Amatrol SkillPro Advantage software automatically collects student assessment results and organizes them in useful reporting formats.
- Teacher Training Services-Amatrol provides tuition-free teacher training for initial and on-going professional development of teachers involved in the Mechatronics Program.
- Service and Support Services-Amatrol service and support are second to none with free hotline support and local service technicians.
