Distributed knowledge based systems for computer integrated manufacturing

Efforts are being made in many organizations to use new technologies to automate and integrate the design, planning and manufacturing processes. The goal in developing these computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) systems is to increase productivity, improve product quality, and, minimize wastage of resources. This paper describes the information required to carry out major manufacturing functions. It also examines some of the special characteristics of these functions and their inputs/outputs. Based on this examination, the paper proposes an architecture for integrating distributed knowledge based systems (DKBS) to support CIM. An object oriented design for the various components of the DKBS is briefly described. Issues requiring further research are outlined.