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Manufacturing Letters 6 (2015) 5–9
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Research Letters

Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, Cyber-Physical Systems

and Cloud Manufacturing – Concepts and relationships
Chunyang Yu a,b, Xun Xu b,⇑, Yuqian Lu b
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
b
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand

Received 22 March 2015; received in revised form 12 August 2015; accepted 1 November 2015
Available online 7 November 2015

Abstract

Computers are deeply entrenched in modern manufacturing systems, giving rise to technologies such as Computer Integrated
Manufacturing, Cyber-Physical Systems and most recently Cloud Manufacturing. These technologies have evolved based on existing
or similar technologies or manufacturing paradigms. Some misunderstandings exist among these technologies. In spite of similarities,
there are sufficient differences among themselves. To start off, the circumstances under which these technologies were incepted and
developed are different. There are different methodologies associated with them. Discussions in this paper are made in relationship to
Information Technology, Industry and Services.
Ó 2015 Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Cloud Manufacturing; Cyber-Physical Systems; Computer Integrated Manufacturing; Industry 4.0; Internet of Things

1. Introduction capabilities. Because of this common feature, it is easy to

cause misunderstanding among them. This paper studies
Computers play an essential role in increasing efficiency, the similarities and differences between these technologies.
capability and adaptability of manufacturing systems. Typ- Digital manufacturing became prominent in the 1980s,
ical examples of such technologies are Computer Inte- and this is when CIM was developed and promoted by
grated Manufacturing (CIM), Distributed Manufacturing machine tool manufacturers as well as other types of man-
(DM), Agile Manufacturing (AM), Cyber-Physical Sys- ufacturers. One of its earlier definitions is given by Digital
tems (CPS) and Cloud Manufacturing (CM), to name a Equipment Corporation (DEC) [3], i.e. CIM is the applica-
few. These technologies have evolved from the existing or tion of computer science technology to the enterprise of man-
similar technologies. For example, CPS can be viewed as ufacturing in order to provide the right information to the
the extension of embedded systems; CM is rooted from right place at the right time, which enables the achievement
cloud computing and DM. Some literature can be found of its product, process and business goals. This definition
in comparing CIM with AM [1], and CM with DM [2]; emphasizes the role of information but lacks the consider-
none looks at CIM, CPS and CM at the same time. ation of integration. For this reason, the Computer and
CIM, CPS and CM all involve a certain level of resource Automation Systems Association (CASA) of the Society
digitization or virtualization. In manufacturing industry, of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) defined it as follows:
these technologies virtualize manufacturing resources or CIM is the integration of the total manufacturing enterprise
through the use of integrated systems and data communica-
⇑ Corresponding author. Tel.: +64 (9)3737599; fax: +64 (9)3737479.
tions coupled with new managerial philosophies that improve
E-mail address: [email protected] (X. Xu). organizational and personnel efficiency [4]. In spite of

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mfglet.2015.11.005
2213-8463/Ó 2015 Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
6 C. Yu et al. / Manufacturing Letters 6 (2015) 5–9

different emphasises in these definitions, a key theme of global networks are considered to be the driving force
CIM is to develop a computer database to bring islands behind CPS [17], whereas CM was conceived on the back
of enabling technologies into a greatly interconnected man- of service-oriented technology and Semantic Web [15].
ufacturing system [4,5], which may be realised by develop- These three technologies are different in forms, methodolo-
ing solutions based on STEP and STEP-NC for the gies and limitations, and they are best understood through
integration of CAD, CAPP, CAM and CNC [5,6], which the way Information Technology (IT) is used, the type of
improves data exchangeability and application interoper- targeted industry and the way services (if any) are
ability. Nevertheless, since CIM focuses on integrating delivered.
computer and advanced manufacturing technologies into
localized resources [6,7], and is established based on more 2. The role of information technology
structured and static business architecture, it is more or less
short of the adaptability to dynamic changes in a produc- Consider manufacturing world as consisting of a physi-
tion system [8]. cal domain and a cyber domain. In order to bridge these
Cyber-Physical System (CPS) is defined as integration of two domains, technologies such as embedded system can
computation with physical processes. Embedded computers be used. In CIM, manufacturing activities are supported
and networks monitor and control the physical processes, by integrated cyber systems [18]. Cyber systems with differ-
usually with feedback loops where physical processes affect ent functions are often passive and independent from each
computations and vice versa [9]. It contributes to the con- other. Meanwhile, these systems are enclosed, e.g. the
nections of the cyber and the physical world. Besides com- embedded systems (controller) in a CNC machine [19].
putation devices, embedded sensors and actuators of a Coordination and communication between different cyber
system allow the operations of physical processes to be systems are usually centrally operated. Hence, CIM realizes
monitored and coordinated in real time [10], leading to a system-centred manufacturing (Fig. 1).
higher responsive and effective systems. It is considered Cyber-Physical systems are an integration of embedded
to be one of the futuristic technologies and has been placed systems and the physical environment with global networks
on the top of the priority list for federal research invest- [19]. In other words, the physical resources in CPS are
ment in the USA. One critical issue in this area is that a globally networked (Fig. 2) and accessible from the out-
large number of networked devices (things) and processes side. Based on this underlying architecture and together
(services) become accessible through the Internet, repre- with the capabilities of sensing, computing and communi-
senting a particular technical challenge in security and pri- cating, products can actively change the state of the phys-
vacy issues [11]. ical environment [20]. For example, a cooling system will
Cloud Manufacturing is driven by Cloud Computing turn itself on when a high temperature violation is detected.
(CC), and accordingly, its definition is built on the CC’s. In this case, it is the product (the things) that communi-
Many authors have proposed definitions of CM (e.g. [12– cates with the environment it resides in, whereas, in a
15]). One definition defines Cloud Manufacturing as ‘‘a CIM system, it is the centralized system that monitors
model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand net-
work access to a shared pool of configurable manufacturing
resources (e.g. manufacturing software tools, manufacturing
equipment, and manufacturing capabilities) that can be
rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management
effort or service provider interaction” [13]. According to this
definition, CM is a concept aimed to offer on-demand man-
ufacturing services from networked (i.e. cloud-enabled)
manufacturing resources, which imitates the service para-
digm of cloud computing promoting everything as a ser-
vice, e.g. design as a service, simulation as a service,
production as a service, assembling as a service, testing as
a service, and logistics as a service. Since the manufacturing
resources and capabilities are shared (as services) through
the Internet, CM, in particular, is considered beneficial to
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
To sum up, modern automation systems (often made up
of embedded systems such as CNC machines) and software
integration technologies (e.g. the integrations of CAD,
CAM, CAE, CAPP) collectively contributed to the devel-
opment of CIM systems in the 1980s [16]. CPS and CM
are more nascent technologies, making appearance after
2000. Rapid advancements of embedded systems and Fig. 1. Computer Integrated Manufacturing from the IT perspective.
 C. Yu et al. / Manufacturing Letters 6 (2015) 5–9 7

Table 1
Differences of CIM, CPS and CM in data storage, retrieval and exchange.
CIM CPS CM
Data storage Integrated Distributed Distributed
Data retrieval Keywords/ Semantic Semantic
semantic
Supporter for data Central system Cyber Services
exchange systems

some electronic commerce technologies, e.g. service-

oriented technology [25]. From this point of view, CM
offers a service-centred manufacturing paradigm.
Therefore, due to their different focuses and underlying
architecture, CIM, CPS and CM have different ways of
storing and retrieving data, and have different supporters
for exchanging data between cyber world and physical
world (Table 1).

3. The industry perspective

Fig. 2. Cyber-Physical Systems from the IT perspective.

Implementation of CIM, CPS and CM provides the
industry with improved quality, reduced lead time and
increased flexibility to market changes. In this section, we
and reacts to the environment. Hence, CPS realizes discuss how these technologies can be implemented in
product-centred manufacturing. industry.
Cloud Manufacturing may either apply (e.g. [13,21,22]) CIM has been widely used in automotive, aviation,
or not apply (e.g. [23,24]) the CPS’ cyber architecture. In space, and ship building industries [26]. When implemented
other words, Cyber systems in CM may choose to be net- in a manufacturing company, CIM not only alters the fac-
worked or not. More significantly, Cloud Manufacturing tory floor systems but changes the operations and organi-
tries to imitate the paradigm of cloud computing in which zational structures of the company [27]. It offers
design, manufacturing and other resources are encapsu- enterprises a methodology for a vertical integration of IT
lated as services. Thus, contrary to CIM and CPS, the con- systems at different levels of enterprise management. For
nection and interaction between the physical and cyber example, the Totally Integrated Automation System [28]
worlds in CM are not directly through cyber systems, but integrates different enterprise levels including corporate
through services (Fig. 3). Because of this, CM requires management level (e.g. Enterprise resource planning), plant
management level (e.g. Manufacturing execution systems)
and device level (e.g. PC-based machinery) [29]. In such a
system, manufacturing automation is realised through
embedded systems that are interconnected at the device
level, forming a locally networked embedded system. Such
a networked embedded system solves some of the typical
problems in conventional manufacturing systems such as
process stagnation, influence of infrastructural factors,
communication and organizational roadblocks [30]. As it
is enclosed, and its functions and responsibility are dis-
tributed in a hierarchical structure, the local networked
embedded system makes CIM less flexible in dealing with
the dynamic, external changes [31].
CPS has been extensively implemented in aerospace
industry, defence industry, electric power industry, trans-
portation industry (e.g. vehicles and intelligent highways),
healthcare industry (e.g. medical devices and systems),
housing industry (e.g. building and environmental control
and smart spaces) [10]. In the conventional manufacturing
environment where robotic systems, process control and
factory automation are prevalent, CPS can support both
Fig. 3. Cloud Manufacturing from the IT perspective. vertical integration and horizontal integration of the IT
8 C. Yu et al. / Manufacturing Letters 6 (2015) 5–9

Table 2
Differences between CIM, CPS and CM.
CIM CPS CM
IT perspective System-centred Product-centred Service-centred
Fit in industrial revolution Third Fourth Fourth
Service offering Software None Software and manufacturing
Central management of service None None Yes

systems, which integrates the whole supply chain or even layer. However, CPS can help integrate Internet of Things
all industries at large, giving rise to Industrial Internet and Internet of Services. At the same time, with Cloud
[32] for example. In this case, the ultimate scenario is the Computing technology, the firms that implement CPS
global networking of systems and factories at different can be provided with, or provide a good deal of services
management levels, which provides a higher degree of such as sensor, processing, control and data services [35].
flexibility and adaptability. Intrinsically, CM offers service-oriented manufacturing
CM has been implemented in industries where in which manufacturing resources are provided as services
e-commerce is heavily featured. This is mostly done by under the ‘‘pay-as-you-go” model. In this model, manufac-
utilizing cloud-based Business-to-Business (B2B) plat- turing services become utility services [36,37]. By this
forms, e.g. Quirky.com, Shapeways.com, Ponoko.com means, CM can facilitate investment reduction on both
and MFG.com [14]. In such platforms, manufacturing or manufacturing and IT infrastructure. It is therefore much
design resources are virtualized over the Internet and made more suitable for SMEs.
available for distributed consumption. These industrial Hence, in the cloud era CIM can be recognized as a kind
implementations are mainly focused on global networking of software-based service. CPS contributes to services
at the factory level (horizontal integration); they do not networking though parts of it can also provide software-
pay much attention to the device level integration. Never- based services. CM is a service container and at the same
theless, CM shows an obvious tendency to embracing the time a service provider, inclusive of software and
functions of the global networked embedded systems (i.e. manufacturing services.
CPS) in research implementations [22]. For example, in
European ManuCloud Project, distributed intra-factories 5. Discussions and conclusion
are networked to enable the inner services of both factory
and automation (device) levels accessible to the outer To recap, Table 2 summarises the key differences among
environment. CIM, CPS and CM. In general, the focus has shifted from
According to the discussion of the concept of Industrie more closed and product centred to more federated and
4.0, Kagermann et al. [33] considers the Third Industrial service-based architecture. Fast expanding business ser-
Revolution as promoted by the automation of manufactur- vices are increasingly dominant in manufacturing and in
ing brought out by the local networked embedded systems, support of manufacturing. Alongside ‘‘servitization” of
and correspondingly, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is the manufacturing industry, new paradigms are emerging,
driven by global networked embedded systems, i.e. CPS. i.e. Internet of Industrial Things and Internet of Services.
Therefore, CIM can be considered as one of the key driving It can be understood that CPS and CM are the combined
forces of the Third Industrial Revolution, whereas CPS driving force of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which
and CM are the driving forces of the Fourth Industrial results in a vertical and horizontal cooperation from
Revolution. machine to Internet, machine to human, and machine to
machine along the value chain in real time. Islands of
4. Manufacturing as a service automation will get interconnected in innumerable net-
works and variations. CIM, CPS and CM are related in
Benefiting from the service model of Cloud Computing many ways. Embedded systems and CPS contribute to
(i.e. Software as a Service, Platform as a Service, Infras- the establishment of CIM and the Industrial Internet.
tructure as a Service) (Marinescu 2013), SMEs that cannot Meanwhile, the Private Cloud and Public Cloud in CM
afford costly IT infrastructure can now achieve company- can be built based on the CIM and Industrial Internet,
wide integration (e.g. CIM). For instance, Cisco’s Cloud- respectively.
Verse [34], a solution for integrating CIM with Cloud In conclusion, there are commonalities between CIM,
Computing, provides SMEs with software-based services CPS and CM in the ways information technology is used,
to implement CIM. the type of targeted industry and the way services (if any)
CPS can be an enabling technology for connecting iso- are delivery. They have each existed to serve different stages
lated services although it does not provide any kind of ser- of industrial revolution. One of the common themes is con-
vices. This is because CPS lacks the architecture of nectedness. CIM focuses on connected systems, CPS
centralised management functions at the service delivery focuses on connected devices and CM more focuses on
 C. Yu et al. / Manufacturing Letters 6 (2015) 5–9 9

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