There are several ways to determine what kind of system you have.

It's CIM ACL if:

• All the software screens are DOS.
• The door of the conveyor's PLC cabinet is not transparent.
• The system has one or more Baytech serial switching units.
• Pictorial example of how to recognize a CIM ACL system:
  • PLC unit cover is not transparent (green box)
  • Software screens are MS-DOS (red box)
  • Baytech switcher unit in use (blue box)

It's ER-OpenCIM or CIMflex if:

• All the software screens are Windows.
• The door of the conveyor's PLC cabinet is transparent.
• Within the PLC cabinet there are cables with 15-pin connector cables (one for each conveyor station) and a serial cable that leads to a computer
• The robot controllers are connected serially to computers.

Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) is the integration, through computers, of design, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and distribution, customers and suppliers, sales and marketing activities, financial management, and the overall control of an enterprise.

Today Intelitek markets its CIM systems under the name CIMflex.

Intelitek's CIM systems comprise industrial quality equipment that allow students to have hands-on experience with real-life industrial applications within a laboratory environment.

A CIM system includes a number of control systems that are interfaced to provide both individual control of work stations and overall control of the systems. Moreover, the OpenCIM Windows-based software provides numerous CIM capabilities: CIM cell and station management; part, order and machine definition; inventory control and tracking; MRP; report generation and production scheduling.

OpenCIM software also includes a 3D solid model whose dynamic display provides online tracking of the manufacturing process and off-line simulation of the CIM process. Students can therefore verify and test the complete production process off-line or in a dry run before executing an actual production run.

In addition, a virtual CIM setup module allows students to design and configure both real and simulated CIM cells. This allows students to experiment with CIM configurations other than those actually available in their school's lab.

OpenCIM provides a realistic, expandable environment through interfaces to third party hardware (e.g. CNC machines, robots, peripheral equipment, etc.). Students can learn first-hand how methods such as CAD/CAM, materials requirement planning (MRP) and product database management (PDM) can be used to optimize production processes.

• If you purchase a permanent license you will receive a CD key from Intelitek.
• If you purchase a subscription license you will receive a Subscription CD key from Intelitek.

If the software is installed without a license, you can use the fully operational software for a 14-day evaluation period. To continue using the software after this period it must be unlocked.

For more information, see the Intelitek Software Licensing chapter of the OpenCIM user manual.

Yes, you can. We have performed many upgrades and given new life to old systems. Customers are extremely pleased to learn that hardware already in their labs can be put to use in a new and advanced CIMflex system. Contact us with details about your existing system so that we can determine what is needed for the upgrade.

CIM ACL is an earlier version of Intelitek's CIM training system. CIM ACL was a DOS-based system in which system management and information were handled on a controller level rather than a network level.