Manufacturing Database

The objective of the database design was to create an organized and efficient database that stores pertinent information for the CIM lab. The design of the database, especially the relations that will be established among the various tables, is critical for designing the queries that will be used by the system for control purposes.

The tables used in this initial design of the database have been organized by their functionality. Broadly, there are three group tables contained within the database. The 'Product group' contains information regarding the product, including its design and the process plans associated with each of the product for each of the three levels in the system: shop floor, workstation and equipment. The 'Resource group' maintains all the information relating to the resources, such as available material, tooling, material processors, material handlers, and material transporters. The 'Communication group' maintains a historical record off all the transactions providing a quick snapshot of all messages that are used in the simulation-based control of the system.

An issue that has not been completely resolved is the decision regarding whether to distribute the database into three levels corresponding to the hierarchical physical model or to maintain the structure of the database to reflect two main levels: one, comprising the shop floor level information, and the other containing relevant information regarding the work station and equipment levels. This implementation issue needs to be resolved after weighing the considerations regarding flexibility of the data structure desired, the level of 'intelligence' required for the equipment controllers, and communication network efficiencies.

 

Product Tables	Resource Tables	Communication Tables
WKSTNEQPMT_PP	MATERIAL	MESSAGES
PRODUCT	TOOLING	TRANSACTIONS
SHOPFLOOR_PP	RESOURCE