Manufacturing planning and execution software interfaces

Abstract Process planning and manufacturing execution systems provide two major functions in a product development cycle. Industries require the systems that support these two functions to be able to integrate with other related manufacturing systems, such as design, resource planning, production scheduling, and equipment control. However, there are information barriers to the integration of commercial systems in these areas. This paper presents an activity model for manufacturing execution and a set of foundation interfaces, identified in an object model, that have been developed to cope with the problem. The interfaces are intended to be a base from which they evolve as the new technology and industrial practices emerge.