How to Use OpenCIM Offline for CIM Simulation
How to Use OpenCIM Offline for CIM Simulation
OpenCIM Offline is a software that allows you to design and run computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) or flexible manufacturing system (FMS) cells in simulation mode, without the need of actual CIM hardware. It is a useful tool for learning and teaching CIM concepts, as well as for testing and optimizing CIM configurations before implementing them in real life.
opencim offline
In this article, we will show you how to use OpenCIM Offline for CIM simulation, and what are the benefits and features of this software.
What is OpenCIM Offline?
OpenCIM Offline is the simulation version of OpenCIM, a software developed by intelitek, Inc. that enables you to control and monitor actual CIM cells using a graphical user interface (GUI). OpenCIM Offline has the same GUI as OpenCIM, but it does not require any physical connection to CIM hardware. Instead, it uses a virtual CIM cell that mimics the behavior and performance of a real one.
OpenCIM Offline can be used for various purposes, such as:
Educational: You can learn and teach the principles and applications of CIM and FMS, such as part definition, storage management, material requirements planning (MRP), scheduling, quality control, reports, etc.
Experimental: You can design and run different CIM or FMS scenarios in simulation mode, and compare the results in terms of productivity, efficiency, quality, cost, etc.
Optimization: You can test and improve your CIM or FMS configurations by changing parameters such as layout, equipment, routing, inventory, etc., and see how they affect the performance of the system.
How to Use OpenCIM Offline?
To use OpenCIM Offline, you need to have the software installed on your Windows PC. You can download it from here. Once you have installed it, you can launch it from the Start menu or the desktop icon.
When you open OpenCIM Offline, you will see the main window that consists of four main sections:
The menu bar: It contains various options for file management, system configuration, simulation control, help, etc.
The toolbar: It contains shortcuts for some of the most frequently used functions, such as opening or saving a file, starting or stopping a simulation, zooming in or out, etc.
The workspace: It shows the graphical representation of the CIM or FMS cell that you are working on. You can drag and drop different components from the library to create or modify your cell layout.
The status bar: It shows information about the current state of the simulation, such as time elapsed, number of parts produced or rejected, etc.
To create a new CIM or FMS cell in OpenCIM Offline, you need to follow these steps:
Select File > New from the menu bar or click on the New icon on the toolbar. A dialog box will appear asking you to choose a template for your cell. You can either select one of the predefined templates or create your own custom template.
After choosing a template, you will see your cell layout in the workspace. You can modify it by adding or deleting components from the library. The library contains various types of components that represent different CIM or FMS elements, such as machines, conveyors, robots, sensors, etc. To add a component to your cell layout, simply drag and drop it from the library to the desired location in the workspace. To delete a component from your cell layout, right-click on it and select Delete.
After creating your cell layout, you need to define the properties and parameters of each component. To do this, double-click on a component or right-click on it and select Properties. A dialog box will appear showing different tabs that contain various options for configuring the component. For example, for a machine component, you can specify its name, type, capacity, cycle time, failure rate, etc. For a conveyor component, you can specify its name, length,
speed,
direction,
etc.
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