Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Bernd Scholz-Reiter

Description

This course gives a global overview of the use of information systems in production. This overview is deepened with the help of a virtual laboratory, with software examples, and with a simulation game. Innovative computer science technologies are introduced, which allow organizations to improve or replace existing systems. Throughout this course students will gain fundamental expertise and context knowledge about the principles and applications of modern information systems in production.

The course is based on scientific theories and concepts of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM). We start with explaining the CIM approach. Data and process integration, applications of computer-integrated manufacturing as well as interface problems are discussed. Elements of the product-related process chain are studied in detail: Computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer-aided process planning (CAP), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM).

In the next part of the course we focus on the order-related process chain. Students are introduced to production planning and control systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, electronic manufacturing Leitstand systems, and production data acquisition. Furthermore, approaches to computer-aided quality assurance (CAQ) are discussed. Students learn which components make up a CAQ system and how quality assurance is integrated into the overall CIM concept. The system architecture, the structure of the database, and the process of planning and implementing computer-aided quality assurance in an organization are explained. In the final part of the course, integration technologies used in manufacturing automation, planning, and control are discussed: Interfacing standards (e.g. IGES, STEP, EDI), databases, communication networks, and product-data management systems.

Outline

1. The concept of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM)
2. Product-related process chain
   2.1 Computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE)
   2.2 Computer-aided process planning (CAP)
   2.3 Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
3. Order-related process chain
   3.1 Production planning and control systems, enterprise resource planning
   3.2 Electronic manufacturing "Leitstand"
   3.3 Production data acquisition
4. Computer-aided quality assurance (CAQ)
   4.1 CAQ components
   4.2 CAQ system architecture
5. Integration technologies
   5.1 Interfaces
   5.2 Databases
   5.3 Communication networks
   5.4 Product-data management systems

Learning Objectives

Students taking this course will gain important knowledge and experience that are demanded from business informatics graduates working in production planning, control, and operations. Typical activities in these fields are designing and advancing industrial information systems, defining and implementing organizational concepts, selecting or developing new application software, evaluating new concepts of industrial information systems, and supporting users throughout the implementation process. After completing this course successfully, students can expect to:

1. possess fundamental expertise and context knowledge about the principles and applications of modern information systems used in production,

2. know the major elements of product-oriented and order-oriented process chains in production, and their interrelationships,

3. understand the theoretical concepts and technical terms of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM),

4. know how to apply technical and economic knowledge in real-world production situations,

5. be able to select appropriate technologies and tools depending on the manufacturing automation, planning, and control problems to be solved,

6. be able to work with in a distributed production system.

Method of teaching

This course combines features of a video-based course (type 1) and a hypermedia course (type 2), and it includes a simulation game. Weekly lessons are composed of hypertext, video, and audio materials accompanied by slides and animations. The form of teaching applied is a hybrid of constructivism and cognitivism as follows.

The learning content is associatively linked and is presented as a whole. That gives the students the possibility of determining their own problem oriented way of learning. Nevertheless a guided tour is offered which presents the materials in a structured way. Action-oriented learning is enforced by doing exercises and a simulation game parallel to the lessons' materials. Learning is supported by a knowledge pool where it is possible to deposit online materials for the respective topic or for adjacent topics. This pool also contains a number of interesting links for relevant topics. Exercises are given parallel to the lessons so that students can deepen their knowledge about the subjects covered in the lectures and develop a more thorough understanding.

The simulation game used in this course is "COSIGA" (Concurrent Engineering Simulation Game). This is a multimedia computer-based simulation game developed for the education of European engineers, designers, managers, and students in product design. The goal of the game is to simulate in a realistic manner the collaborative and cooperative process of product development which is inherent in concurrent engineering (CE). The game is about a company that produces trucks by applying CE principles. The players interact in a product development scenario where they have to specify, design, and produce a product for a specific market. The product's manufacturability is put to test in a simulated factory. The game is designed to be played by a group of up to five users either in the same room or in a distributed group using telecommunication. By means of this game students learn how to work in a distributed production system.

COSIGA screenshot

More information and download of this game (client version) is available at: http://www.cosiga.com

Communication between students and instructors (e.g. subsequent discussion of the topics of a lesson, questions, answers, exercises, etc.) is based on electronic media like discussion forum, bulletin board, chat room, and e-mail. Students are always welcome to ask questions and will receive answers as soon as possible.

Requirements

The only prerequisite you need is a student version of the CAD-software "Megacad Evolution 3D" English version for about 50 € (license for two years). If you are going to take part in this course, please contact us. We will help you getting this software.

If you take this course as an individual course, you will obtain a VGU certificate for passing the course. The evaluation of your performance is based on the results of the exercises, the laboratory results, and the process of the simulation-game.

Credits

7.5 credit points