Objective The objective of this project was to apply CIM concepts to the heavy welded-fabrication industry, replacing the traditional "islands of automation" approach with an integrated approach which could be developed and exploited economically. The programme of work was as follows: -analysis of heavy fabrication manufacturing systems using Data and Functions Networking (DAFNE) methodology -design of a generalised CIM framework using DAFNE -development of selected production subsystems within the CIM framework, eg automated welding cells with CAD-simulation cell-instrumentation quality control linkages - study of computer-aided production management. The objective of this project was to apply computer integrated manufacture (CIM) concepts to the heavy welded fabrication industry, replacing the traditional islands of automation approach with an integrated approach which could be developed and exploited economically. The programme of work was as follows: analysis of heavy fabrication manufacturing systems using data and functions networking (DAFNE) methodology, design of a generalized CIM framework using DAFNE, development of selected production subsystems within the CIM framework (eg automated welding cells with computer aided design (CAD) simulation cell instrumentation quality control linkages) and study of computer aided production management.Arc welding cells were developed together with the links to the necessary subsystems. Quality inspection, instrumentation, databases, CAD, simulation and offline programming were defined and demonstrated. The organizational and production models of heavy fabrication were studied with the use of appropriate methodology tools (DAFNE), and a general reference model for the industry type was produced.Successful implementation of CIM architectural model, adapted to welding in heavy industry (eg shipbuilding), demonstrated the opportunites for considerable improvements in productivity and product quality and will help to make the industry more responsive to market needs. The 2 project demonstration cells made use of simulation and offline programming through the application of modular and structured techniques for generating welding torch trajectories.Weld cell performance was also monitored via a specially constructed data gathering and file system which had potential for real time intervention, including adaptive control of the weld production activities.Arc-welding cells were developed, together with the links to the necessary subsystems: quality inspection, instrumentation, databases, CAD, simulation and off-line programming were defined and demonstrated. The organisational and production models of heavy fabrication were studied with the use of appropriate methodology tools (DAFNE), and a general reference model for the industry type was produced. Successful implementation of a CIM architectural model, adapted to welding in heavy industry (eg shipbuilding), demonstrated the opportunities for considerable improvements in productivity and product quality and will help to make the industry more responsive to market needs. The two project demonstration cells made use of simulation and off-line programming through the application of modular and structured techniques for generating welding torch trajectories. Weld-cell performance was also monitored via a specially constructed data-gathering and file system which had potential for real-time intervention, including adaptive control of the weld production activities. Exploitation The industrial partners in the project have adopted the results and developed them for their own industrial use. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasessocial sciencessociologyindustrial relationsautomationsocial scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivityengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringnaval engineeringsea vessels Programme(s) FP1-ESPRIT 1 - European programme (EEC) for research and development in information technologies (ESPRIT), 1984-1988 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator THE WELDING INSTITUTE EU contribution No data Address Granta Park, Great Abington CB1 6AL CAMBRIDGE United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all AALBORG SHIPYARD LTD Denmark EU contribution No data Address 9100 AALBORG See on map Total cost No data DANISH WELDING INSTITUTE Denmark EU contribution No data Address PARK ALLE 345 2605 BRONDBY See on map Total cost No data Italsiel SpA Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Isonzo 21B 00198 Roma See on map Total cost No data ODENSE STEEL SHIPYARD LTD Denmark EU contribution No data Address KYSTVEJEN /MUNKEBO P.O. Box 176 5100 ODENSE See on map Total cost No data Università degli Studi di Genova Italy EU contribution No data Address Via all'Opera Pia 11A 16145 Genova See on map Total cost No data