Configuration of CIM Cells Allen-Bradley Company Inc.  Allen-Bradley is one of the major manufacturers of Computer Integrated Manufacturing Cells (CIM Cells). This is a highly advanced form of automated machining equipment. The CIM cell is capable of re-configuring itself under computer control to produce a wide range of different parts in lots of 1 to 10,000 or more. The flexibility and speed with which differing parts can be produced make CIM cells one of the most advanced production technologies available.  A CIM cell is extremely complex, utilizing many different types of sensors, controls, cutters and peripheral equipment. There are hundreds of components that can be included in a CIM cell and many possible configurations will not function properly. Configuring a CIM cell involves determining that all components are compatible and that the system is complete. This used to require a human expert with extensive experience and takes a full day.  Configuration of a CIM cell now happens in minutes. A large expert system was built, using EXSYS, of over 1500 rules to perform the configuration. The system backward chains extensively and uses external programs for data input, and obtaining current prices of equipment. A sales person can input information to the configuration using a large "fill-in-the blank" type screen. The system then checks the configuration and asks the user for additional information as needed. Once the CIM is configured, the system looks up prices of the selected components and prints a detailed quotation, using the EXSYS Report Generator. The report can then be given to the customer.  The system is fielded worldwide by Allen-Bradley and is used extensively by their sales force.